Impact of aging on the immune system

Abstract

Organismal aging is a complex multifactorial process influenced by various factors such as biological clock, gene expression, cellular senescence, oxidative stress, immune system, nutrition and metabolism, and lifestyle. The immune system plays a crucial role in the human body, maintaining normal immunity, defending against invasion of pathogenic microorganisms, maintaining homeostasis of the internal environment, and other functions. Research to date has found that the immune system weakens during the human body’s aging process, resulting in a series of diseases. The aging of the immune system is the inevitable result of the body’s aging, but it is also the fundamental cause of aging. As the body ages, the immune system gradually declines, and the decline of the immune system is associated with a decrease in the number of lymphocytes, a reduction in the activity of immune cells, and an increase in the inflammatory response, which makes the elderly more susceptible to infections and certain specific diseases. This phenomenon not only affects the quality of life of older people but also places a heavy burden on society. Understanding the effects of aging on the immune system is, therefore, important for improving the health of older adults. This paper focuses on the relationship between aging and the immune system.