Aging, Immunity, and Infection

by Albright, Joseph F.; Albright, Julia W.

• ISBN13: 9780896036444
• ISBN10: 0896036448
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-07-01
• Publisher: Humana Pr Inc

Summary

Two prominent immunogerontologists review the major features and functions of the immune system that are most likely, or known, to be significantly altered by aging, and offer insightful analyses of the consequences for those aging subjects who must cope with infection. Topics of special interest include the demographics and theories of immunosenescence, the gradual breakdown of resistance to infection in the aged, and the effects of aging on selected mechanisms of both innate and adaptive immunity to infections. The Albrights also explain how advances may be made in understanding the basic biology, the newer methods of treatment and prevention, and the evaluation of such provocative ideas as lifespan extension and nutritional intervention to delay immunosenescence.

Table of Contents

Dedication	v
Preface	vii
1 Human Aging: Present and Future	1	(18)
Demographics	1	(4)
Infectious Diseases of the Aging	5	(2)
Limits on Life Expectancy and Future Prospects	7	(4)
Theories of Senescence	11	(3)
Chapter Summary	14	(1)
References	15	(4)
2 Aging and Altered Resistance to Infection	19	(42)
Relatively Common Bacterial Infections of Aging Humans	20	(4)
Selected Examples of Age-Associated Susceptibility to Bacterial Infections	24	(4)
Bacterial Interactions with Mucosa Surfaces	28	(11)
Antibiotic Resistance and Bacterial Variation	39	(3)
Viral Infections in Aging Humans	42	(5)
Protozoan Parasites in Aging Subjects	47	(3)
Fungal Infections in Aging Subjects	50	(1)
Chapter Summary	51	(2)
References	53	(8)
3 Senescence of Natural/Innate Resistance to Infection	61	(74)
Pattern Recognizing Receptors of Innate Immunity	62	(10)
Phagocytic Cells: Monocytes/Macrophages	72	(8)
Microbial Evasion of Phagocytic Destruction	80	(1)
Age-Related Changes in Macrophages	81	(15)
Phagocytic Cells: Neutrophils	96	(9)
Natural Killer/Lymphokine-Activated Killer Cells	105	(10)
Chapter Summary	115	(2)
References	117	(18)
4 Aging of Adaptive/Acquired Immunity	135	(78)
Aging of the Thymus and Thymus-Derived (T) Cells	136	(9)
The Functions and Diversity of Peripheral T Cells	145	(27)
Summary: Known and Cognizable Effects of Aging T Cells	172	(11)
Differentiation, Functions, and Aging of B Cells	183	(12)
Chapter Summary	195	(2)
References	197	(16)
5 Nutrition, Longevity, and Integrity of the Immune System	213	(20)
RCI-Mediated Delay of immunosenescence	214	(3)
How Does RCI Promote Life-Span Extension?	217	(1)
Dietary Restriction vs Malnutrition	218	(3)
References	221	(4)
Epilogue	225	(8)
Index	233