L25-The ageing immune system Flashcards
What does immunesenescence mean?
The immune system deteriorating with age
What happens to haematopiesis as we age?
Haematopoiesis-with age the number of haematopietic stem cells decreases hence reducing the number of lymphoid cells
What happens to cytokines as we age?
Cytokines-Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines causing inflammation
What happens to neutrophils as we age?
Neutrophils-bectericidal processes used by neutrophils, chemotaxis and ability to phagocytose bacteria are reduced with age.
What happen to monocytes as we age?
Monocytes-increased monocyte numbers with ageing which increase inflamaging
What happens to NK cells as we age?
NK cells-increased numbers with ageing however have decreased cytotoxicity
What happens to T lymphocytes as we age?
As the thymus changes to adipose tissue this decreases the capability to produce new T cells.
This means that less naive T cells are produced.
What happens to B lymphocytes as we age?
Reduced ability for B cells to proliferate and increased numbers of memory B cells as less are being produced in the bone marrow
Why does autoimmunity increase with age?
As peripheral tolerance decreases
