Immunity Flashcards
Is the following statement true or false? With increasing age there is a decrease in the number of naïve T cells. This reduces the ability to respond to new antigens.
It’s true. With age the number of naïve T cells does decrease, and this decreases the ability to respond to novel antigens.
Is the following statement true or false? With increasing age there is a decrease in the function of B cells that results in a significant decrease in antibody production.
It’s false. With increasing age there may be a slight decrease in the function of B cells on antibody production. This tells us that different parts of the specific immune system are affected differently by ageing.
Is the following statement true or false? The innate immune system is minimally affected by ageing.
It’s false. The function of the innate immune system decreases somewhat with age. Although the decrease in function is limited because the innate immune system is responsible for activating the specific immune system, the overall immune response is decreased.
Is the following statement true or false? Low-level inflammation is common in older people due to dysregulation of the immune system.
Its true. There is dyregulation of the immune system with ageing and it can contribute to low grade inflammation.
Is the following statement true or false? The number of memory cells in the blood increases with ageing.
Its true. There are more memory cells bu they are less functional.
Is following statement true or false? Decreased immune function in older people can lead to the reactivation of diseases that were previously controlled by the individual’s immune system.
Its true. The immune system can control diseases like TB without eliminating them. If immune function decreases the diseases can be reactivated.
What are the recommendations for vaccination in the aged?
Older people should be fully vaccinated, and the government has a program of free vaccinations for aged people. Although ageing decreases its effectiveness, vaccination is essential for older people (and for people working with older people).
What are the problems associated with vaccination in the aged and why do they occur?
- Overall vaccination is less effective in older people. You could apply the basic model to explaining why.
- Age-related changes in the immune system decrease overall immune function.
- Many diseases directly affect the immune system and can make vaccinations less effective.
- Age-related changes in other body systems make older people more vulnerable to infection-for example changes that occur in the respiratory system.
- Diseases affecting other body systems can decrease in immune function-for example any disease that impacts on nutrition will decrease immunity.
- Many medications used by older people suppress immune function and can compromise the effects of vaccination.
Is the following statement true or false? Recurrent infections accelerate ageing of the immune system.
It’s true. Recurrent infections can explore and ageing of the immune system.
What can be done to support immune function in the aged?
This might seem a difficult question but you can apply the same basic concepts that you have use already in this unit. To optimise immune function we want to make sure that people live the healthiest possible lifestyle, and that they practice that healthy lifestyle across their entire lifespan. If people are experiencing problems they should seek medical advice rather than attribute them to ageing. If a medical problem is suppressing immunity it can frequently be treated.
Is the following statement true or false? The gut microbiome appears to have a significant impact on immune function.
Its true. The microbiome does appear to affect immune function
Is the following statement true or false? Habitual exercise can enhance immune function.
Its true. Exercise does appear to improve immune function
Explain the relationship between the risk factors for chronic disease and immune function.
The risk factors for chronic disease upregulate chronic inflammation, suggesting that there is a relationship between the inflammation and disease. Here is some informatiton from an article published this week.
“We aimed to establish the prevalence of low-grade inflammation in depression, using different C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Based on the meta-analysis of 17 studies of depression and matched healthy controls, the odds ratio for low-grade inflammation in depression was 1.46 (95% CI 1.22–1.75). The prevalence of elevated CRP (>1 mg/L) in depression was 58% (95% CI 47–69%), and the meta-analytic odds ratio for elevated CRP in depression compared with controls was 1.47 (95% CI 1.18–1.82). These findings suggest that inflammation could be relevant to a large number of patients with depression.
