Workshop report: aging and the immune system
Article Abstract:
Immunogerontology is a research specialty that focuses upon the interactions between aging and the immune system. A conference entitled 'Workshop on Aging and the Immune System' was held in March 1989 at the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland. Recent findings in immunogerontology were reported and discussed; this article summarizes the presentations which included topics in molecular immunology, cellular immunology, and immunopathology. Immunology and gerontology are connected in complex ways. Changes in immune function can lead to disease processes characteristic of aging, and the effects of aging influence the immune system itself. Researchers are finding that certain genes (those of the histocompatibility complex), may be instrumental in regulating aging and even life span. These genes may be important in determining differences among individuals within one species, and also differences among various species of animals in rate of aging and longevity. For future research, one scientist emphasized the need to make comparisons between species and to design experiments that evaluate theories on the aging process. One hypothesis to be tested involves the role played by T cells in mounting an immune response against both foreign antigens (proteins that elicit antibody production) and those found in the animal itself. It has been found that with aging, animals become less responsive to foreign antigens while their autoimmune responses increase (responses directed against the self). Research concerning this theory and others is discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1989
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Changes in lymphocyte subsets and immune competence in very advanced age
Article Abstract:
The immune or natural defense system consists of cells and factors that inactivate foreign invading substances called antigens. In the presence of an antigen, immune B-lymphocytes transform into B-cells which produce antibodies, proteins that specifically bind to and inactivate the foreign substance. Another type of immune cell, T-lymphocytes, transform into three types of T-cells: CD4 or T-helper cells, which enhance the production of antibodies; killer T-cells, which cause transplant rejection and destroy foreign cells; and CD8 or T-suppressor cells, which decrease the production of antibody. The changes in immune responses with aging and the effects of these changes on patient survival were assessed over a three-year period in 18 hospital patients aged 92 to 107 years. The relationship between immune capacity and lifetime survival was examined. The number of T lymphocytes was lower among older patients as compared with young adults. Aging was associated with a greater decrease in CD8 cells than CD4 cells, leading to high CD4 to CD8 ratios. The mitogenic responses, which are the activation of a type of cell division called mitosis, in the presence of certain substances (phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen) were altered in the blood and lymphocytes of elderly patients. The number of B cells and ability to produce the antibody immunoglobulin M decreased with advanced age. Although 15 patients died during the study, there was no relationship between lifetime and any single measure of immune response. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Involvement of DNA repair in cancer and aging
Article Abstract:
When the DNA (the material containing the genetic code) of a cell is damaged, the cell attempts to repair the damage. Cell function will be more severely affected if the repair process is slower or less accurate than if it is quick and precise. Some instances of DNA damage (mutation) have immediate adverse effects on the functioning of the cell and the animal, while others have a delayed effect. It has been suggested that aging results from a reduction in the ability of cells to repair mutations, possibly along with an accumulation of damage to the DNA over time. This theory has not as yet been proven by researchers, and the authors propose several explanations for the lack of clear conclusions on this question. Two of these explanations are that cells may be using several DNA repair mechanisms simultaneously, and many other factors intervene in the process, making it difficult to follow the specific relationship between aging and DNA repair. The link between damage to the DNA and cancer development has been more conclusively demonstrated. It is concluded that the effect of DNA damage and repair on the aging process is still not understood, even after much research has been done on the topic. The authors discuss issues relating to DNA repair, aging, cancer development, and genetic diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1989
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