Immunosenescence

Question 1

What is immunosenescence?

Answer 1

Immunosenescence refers to the deterioration of the immune system that occurs with aging. It can increase mortality and morbidity by increasing the rate of infections, inflammatory conditions, cell degeneration, metabolic disease, neurodegenerative disease, cancer and autoimmune disease.

Question 2

What are some factors that can contribute to immunosenescence?

Answer 2

Telomere shortening, decreased T cell function, type 2 diabetes, hormonal changes, dementia and oxidative stress

Question 3

What can decrease in T cell responses do?

Answer 3

Weakened immune response, poor memory formation and compromised vaccine response

Question 4

Why do T cells produce cytokines?

Answer 4

To activate other immune cells and to promote inflammation to control infections

Question 5

What are the impacts of excessive cytokine production?

Answer 5

Chronic inflammation, T cell exhaustion or senescence and disrupted immune balance

Question 6

What can an imbalance in ROS levels lead to?

Answer 6

It can lead to chronic oxidative stress, which damages immune cells, impairs cell signalling, division and function and accelerates immunosenescence

Question 7

What is inflammaging?

Answer 7

Type of chronic inflammation that occurs during aging

Question 8

What are the demographic factors that could contribute to immunosenescence or inflammaging?

Answer 8

Socioeconomic status, access to healthcare and cultural practices