Chinese Med J Peking
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Chinese Med J Peking · Sep 2012
ReviewSenescent remodeling of the immune system and its contribution to the predisposition of the elderly to infections.
To review the senescent remodeling of the immune system with aging and its relevance to the increased susceptibility of the elderly to infectious diseases, along with an outlook on emerging immunological biomarkers. ⋯ Aging does not necessarily lead to an unavoidable decline in immune functions. Instead, a complex remodeling occurs. Despite the lack of compelling scientific evidence, senescent immune remodeling surely is a significant contributing factor to the increased risk and severity of infections in the elderly. Although, no immunological biomarker has been formally linked to the increased risk of infections in the elderly, biomarkers remain a promising tool to predict the likelihood of healthy aging, the level of immune competence, and mortality risk in the elderly. Hence, more research is required to define healthy aging and identify immunological biomarkers.