Natural killer cell immunosenescence and cancer in the elderly

Abstract:

Ageing is associated with changes in the immune system that may affect both innate and adaptive immune responses. Well-preserved natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity has been considered as a biomarker of healthy ageing and longevity, whereas low NK cytotoxicity is a pbkp_redictor of morbidity and mortality due to infections. Remodeling of the NK cell compartment occurs in the elderly, probably reflecting the reduction in the output of the immature CD56^bright cells and an accumulation of highly differentiated CD56^dim CD57⁺ NK cells. NK cells in the elderly show phenotypic and functional changes as diminished expression of several activating NK cell receptors or decreased proliferative response to cytokines. Age-associated immune deterioration has been recently considered an additional cause for the high incidence of cancer in the elderly since the immune response against tumors goes down with age. Thus, age-associated alterations in NK cell function may constitute a new biomarker associated to the increased incidence of cancer in the elderly.

Año de publicación:

2014

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus