Wick G, Grubeck-Loebenstein B
Institute for Biomedical Aging Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck, Austria.
Exp Gerontol. 1997 Jul-Oct;32(4-5):401-13. doi: 10.1016/s0531-5565(96)00152-0.
The function of the immune system is known to decline in the elderly. The present communication will show that, similar to the situation in children, it is necessary to distinguish between primary and secondary alterations of the immune reactivity in the elderly. The primary immunological change in the elderly is the age-dependent intrinsic decline of immune responsiveness that is also observed in healthy persons, i.e., those selected according to the criteria of the SENIEUR Protocol of EURAGE (European Community Concerted Action on Aging). Secondary immunological changes are due to underlying diseases and various environmental factors, including diet, drug intake, physical activity, etc. While primary immunodeficiencies of the elderly are not, or only to a very minor extent, presently influenced by therapeutic measures, secondary alterations of the immune function offer further possibilities for corrective measures. Clinically, the consequences of impaired immune function in the elderly include increased susceptibility to infectious disease, the emergence of tumors, and increased autoimmune reactions, the latter albeit often without concomitant autoimmune disease. In fact, autoimmune diseases in generally begin to develop at younger ages, but their consequences are major factors affecting the quality of life of the elderly. Investigations of basic molecular and cellular aspects of the aging immune system are, therefore, of theoretical, clinical and socioeconomic interest.
众所周知，免疫系统的功能会在老年人中衰退。本报告将表明，与儿童的情况类似，有必要区分老年人免疫反应性的原发性和继发性改变。老年人的原发性免疫学变化是免疫反应性随年龄增长而出现的内在衰退，在健康人群中也可观察到，即那些根据欧洲共同体老龄问题协调行动（EURAGE）的SENIEUR方案标准挑选出来的人。继发性免疫学变化是由潜在疾病和各种环境因素引起的，包括饮食、药物摄入、体育活动等。虽然老年人的原发性免疫缺陷目前不受治疗措施影响，或仅受到非常轻微的影响，但免疫功能的继发性改变为采取纠正措施提供了更多可能性。临床上，老年人免疫功能受损的后果包括对传染病的易感性增加、肿瘤的出现以及自身免疫反应增加，尽管后者往往没有伴随自身免疫性疾病。事实上，自身免疫性疾病通常在较年轻时开始发展，但其后果是影响老年人生活质量的主要因素。因此，对衰老免疫系统的基础分子和细胞方面的研究具有理论、临床和社会经济意义。
