Immune senescence: significance of the stromal microenvironment

A. R. Masters, L. Haynes, D. M. Su, D. B. Palmer

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The immune system undergoes age-associated changes known as immunosenescence, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections, cancers and autoimmunity in the aged. The basis of our understanding of immunosenescence has been derived primarily from studies examining intrinsic defects within many of the cells of the immune system. While these studies have provided insight into the mechanisms of immunosenescence, a picture is now emerging that the stromal microenvironment within lymphoid organs also contributes significantly to the age-associated decline of immune function. These extrinsic defects appear to impact the functional activity of immune cells and may offer a potential target to recover immune activity. Indeed, rejuvenation studies which have targeted the stromal niche have restored immune function in aged successfully, highlighting the impact of the microenvironment towards the aetiology of immunosenescence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6-15
Number of pages10
JournalClinical and Experimental Immunology
Volume187
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • aging
  • cell differentiation
  • spleen and lymph nodes
  • stromal cells
  • thymus

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