Natural killer cells immunosenescence and the impact of lifestyle management

Lian Wang; Liwei Mao; Weihua Xiao; Peijie Chen

doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149216

Natural killer cells immunosenescence and the impact of lifestyle management

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2023 Dec 31:689:149216. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149216. Epub 2023 Nov 10.

Authors

Lian Wang¹, Liwei Mao², Weihua Xiao³, Peijie Chen⁴

Affiliations

¹ The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China. Electronic address: wanglian9369@hotmail.com.
² The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China. Electronic address: 15951911332@163.com.
³ The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China. Electronic address: xiaoweihua@sus.edu.cn.
⁴ The Key Lab of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Human Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, 200438, China. Electronic address: chenpeijie@sus.edu.cn.

PMID: 37976836
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149216

Abstract

Natural killer cells (NKs) are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that quickly respond to viruses, infections, and tumors during their short cell life cycle. However, it was recently found that NKs undergo quantitative, distributional, structural, and functional phenotypic changes during aging that suppress immune responses, which is known as immunosenescence. The aging host environment, cytokine regulation, cytomegalovirus status, and hypothalamic‒pituitary‒adrenal axis have significant effects on NK function. Different lifestyle management interventions modulate the number and cytotoxic activity of NKs, which are essential for rebuilding the immune barrier against pathogens in elderly individuals. Based on recent studies, we review the phenotypic changes of and potential threats of NKs during aging and explore the underlying mechanisms. By summarizing the effects of lifestyle management on NKs and their application prospects, we aim to provide evidence for enhancing immune system function against immune diseases in elderly individuals.

Keywords: Aging; Cytotoxicity; Immunosenescence; Lifestyle management; Natural killer cells.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Humans
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Immunosenescence* / physiology
Killer Cells, Natural
Life Style
Pituitary-Adrenal System