Immunosenescence and Anti-Immunosenescence Therapies: The Case of Probiotics

摘要

Aging is a complex process that negatively impacts the development of the immune systemnand its ability to function. Progressive changes in the T and B cell systems over the life spannhave a major impact on the capacity to respond to immune challenge. These cumulative ageassociatednchanges in immune competence are termed immunosenescence. This process isnmostly characterized by: (1) shrinkage of the T cell repertoire and accumulation of oligoclonalnexpansions of memory/effector cells directed toward ubiquitary infectious agents; (2) involutionnof the thymus and the exhaustion of naive T cells; and (3) chronic inflammatory status.nHere we discuss possible strategies to counteract these main aspects of immunosenescence,nin particular the role of the normalization of intestinal microflora by probiotics. A better understandingnof immunosenescence and the development of new strategies to counteract it arenessential for improving the quality of life of the elderly population.