title: Reduced IFN-gamma production in elderly people following in vitro stimulation with influenza vaccine and endotoxin.
abstract: Cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is pivotal in the defence against viruses and intracellular pathogens and an age-related decreased IFN-gamma production may explain the increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Therefore, we performed a series of clinical experiments evaluating the influence of age and health status on IFN-gamma production following in vitro stimulation with influenza vaccine or endotoxin. Both healthy and frail elderly people produced significantly lower amounts of IFN-gamma following ex vivo stimulation with influenza vaccine or endotoxin. We conclude that ageing is accompanied by a decreased capacity to produce IFN-gamma. This may explain the increased incidence and case-fatality caused by viruses and intracellular pathogens in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of General Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Building 1 C2-R, PO Box 9600, NL-2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Westendorp
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Cools
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Klis
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Remarque
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma