Inflammaging and the Lung

Clin Geriatr Med. 2017 Nov;33(4):459-471. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2017.06.002. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Abstract

With the coming of the "silver tsunami," expanding the knowledge about how various intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the immune system in the elderly is timely and of immediate clinical need. The global population is increasing in age. By the year 2030, more than 20% of the population of the United States will be older than 65 years of age. This article focuses on how advanced age alters the immune systems and how this, in turn, modulates the ability of the aging lung to deal with infectious challenges from the outside world and from within the host.

Keywords: Elderly; Host defense; Immunosenescence; Infection; Inflammaging; Inflammation; Macrophage; Neutrophils.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immune System* / pathology
  • Immune System* / physiopathology
  • Immunosenescence*