title: [Immune function and aging in man].
abstract: Ageing in immune reactivity is described at the level of lymphoid cells, at that of lymphoid organs and organ function, and at that of regulation of cell and organ function. Apart from shifts in numbers of lymphoid cell subpopulations, the decrease in communication capacity between lymphoid cell populations and in binding of invaders (like bacteria) is an important aspect of ageing. These aspects may contribute to the decreased immune reactivity to invaders and the enhanced incidence of immune reactions to self-components (autoimmune reactivity). Studies on the physiology and pathophysiology of ageing in the immune system lead to improvement in prevention and therapy of immunological diseases of ageing, with prospect on an enhanced life quality of aged people and an extension of the mean lifespan of man.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
vernacular_title: Immuunfunctie en veroudering bij de mens.