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Is Immune Aging a Cause of Disease among the Elderly, or is it a Passive Indicator of General Decline of Physiologic Function?

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Chronologic aging is associated with increased incidences and morbidity of infections, malignancies, and autoimmune disorders [1–4]. Hence, it has been articulated that advancing age might be the most potent cause of disease [5]. Is aging indeed a cause of disease among the elderly? Perhaps a more provocative question is: is aging a disease? Whichever side one might take on these issues, a key consideration for a definitive answer would have to be the contribution of immune function, or dysfunction thereof. This latter argument is founded on the fundamental evolutionary concept that immunity is a determinant of individual fitness and survival [6–8]. In this second special of Aging and Immunity, 8 articles examine inflammatory and immunologic processes that may contribute to age-related disease.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Author: Abbe N Vallejo

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms

Subfield: Aging

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging

Awards: Immunity and Healthy Aging, Pittsburgh Older Americans Independence Center