Associations of cytokine polymorphisms with immunosenescence

Abstract

Deterioration of the immune system with aging is associated with an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, cancer and autoimmune disorders. It has been demonstrated that immunosenescence is associated with chronic, lowgrade inflammatory activity. The aging process is very complex and longevity is a multifactorial trait, which is determined by genetic and environmental factors, and the interaction of disease processes with intrinsic ageing processes. It is hypothesized that the level of immune response as well as possibly longevity could be associated with genes regulating immune functions. It is further hypothesized that the diversity of these genes might influence successful aging and longevity by modulating an individual's response to life-threatening disorders. Several studies have focused on the role of genes encoding molecules with immune functions. In this chapter we will review the data on the role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in human longevity.