Our ability to survive the germs
in older people, or is immunosenescence
around us is based on a tightly
somehow beneficial within the context of
controlled immune system. Too
the aging body?
little of an immune response
Given the delicate balance of the
makes us susceptible to infection,
immune system, gerontologists suspect that,
including life-threatening pneumonia.
along with its more obvious negative con-
Conversely, an overactive immune response
sequences, immunosenescence might have
is at the root of autoimmune diseases
a protective role in seniors. More research
common among older people and may
is needed before scientists fully understand
contribute to age-related chronic diseases
the aging immune system and determine
like Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis,
whether changing an immune response
diabetes, and heart disease. So, should sci-
would lead to an increase or a decrease in
entists try to change the immune response
health span and lifespan in humans.
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