title: The effect of aging on cognate function and development of immune memory.
abstract: Immunological memory is one of the central features of the immune system and can be described as the ability of the immune system to respond more efficiently to a second encounter with the same pathogen. The immune system is dramatically affected by age-related changes and it is becoming apparent that immune memory exhibits significant defects as a result of aging. Although immune memory generated during youth functions well into old age, that generated later in life functions poorly. Importantly, age-related defects in the cognate helper function of CD4(+) T cells can potentially influence the development of both humoral and cell-mediated immune memory. These defects ultimately result in aged individuals who exhibit reduced responses to both infections and vaccinations.
authors.affiliation: Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, New York 12983, USA. lhaynes@trudeauinstitute.org
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haynes
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory