免疫衰老的研究进展

Development of immunosenescence

目前的研究认为，免疫衰老并非不可避免的逐进性退化过程，而是一个漫长的重塑结果。其中大部分免疫功能发生了退行性下降，但是少部分改变不显著，甚至略有加强。免疫衰老是一个与年龄相关的改变，累及非常复杂的机制，包括中枢免疫器官，外周免疫器官和细胞以及免疫分子的各个部分，从免疫细胞在中枢免疫器官的生成至造血干细胞到外周血淋巴细胞的转移、成熟以及增殖、分化、活化的各个阶段。免疫衰老引起的淋巴系统和细胞的功能紊乱，明显地影响了老年人的健康、疾病和死亡。对免疫衰老随龄性改变进行研究，旨在更好地预防老年随龄性疾病的发生发展，进而改善老年人群的生存质量和寿命。

Recent observations indicated that immuosenescence is not accompanied by an unavoidable and progressive deterioration of the immune function , but is rather the result of a remodeling where some functions are reduced , others remain unchanged or even increased. The mechanisms that underlie these age-related changes are widely related to defect in the haematopoietic bone marrow and defects in the peripheral lymphocyte migration, maturation and proliferation, differentiation ,induction and activation. Therefore, age-associated changes , in particular dysfunctions within immune system and lymphocyte have a strong clinical impact to elderly. The aim of this review is to present an overview of the cellular and biochemical changes that have been implicated in the decline of central immune （including haematopoietic bone marrow , thymic tissue） and peripheral immune function （mainly lymphocytes and cytokines）with ageing in general. Improving our understanding of the aged immune system is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment programs which will facilitate healthy aging and improve the life quality of the elderly population.