Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2004 , Vol 7, Issue 3
IMMUNOSENESCENCE
Bilkay BAÅžTÃœRK, Sedat BOYACIOÄžLU
Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı İmmünoloji Bölümü, Ankara
Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı Gastroenteroloji Bilimdalı, Ankara
Aging is a complex process which is accompanied with the decline and the reshaping of different functions of the body. Immunosenescence, the progressive decline in immune function that develops with age, results from cumulative alterations in critical B and T cell subpopulations. In particular the immune system is characterized, during ageing by a remodeling of innate immunity and clonotypical immunity and by the occurrence of a chronic inflammatory process. Age associated changes in the immune system are responsible for an increased likelihood of infection, autoimmune diseases, and cancer in elderly. Nutrition have a significant impact on aging. Caloric restriction might retard aging and immunosenesence through a mechanism involving changes in signal transduction and gene expression. Keywords : Immunosenescence, Nutrition, Cancer