title: Immunosenescence and anti-immunosenescence therapies: the case of probiotics.
abstract: Aging is a complex process that negatively impacts the development of the immune system and its ability to function. Progressive changes in the T and B cell systems over the life span have a major impact on the capacity to respond to immune challenge. These cumulative age-associated changes in immune competence are termed immunosenescence. This process is mostly characterized by: (1) shrinkage of the T cell repertoire and accumulation of oligoclonal expansions of memory/effector cells directed toward ubiquitary infectious agents; (2) involution of the thymus and the exhaustion of naive T cells; and (3) chronic inflammatory status. Here we discuss possible strategies to counteract these main aspects of immunosenescence, in particular the role of the normalization of intestinal microflora by probiotics. A better understanding of immunosenescence and the development of new strategies to counteract it are essential for improving the quality of life of the elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Gruppo di Studio sull'Immunosenescenza, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Metodologie Biomediche, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. gcandore@unipa.it
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candore
authors.forename: Carmela Rita
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Balistreri
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colonna-Romano
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lio
authors.forename: Florinda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Listi'
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scola
authors.forename: Sonya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vasto
authors.forename: Calogero
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*