Premature B-cell senescence as a consequence of chronic immune activation: Implications for vaccination of immune compromised individuals

Abstract

Similar features between the immune system of healthy elderly people and of younger individuals subjected to conditions of chronic immune activation are progressively being observed. This is raising the hypothesis that chronic immune activation may cause the premature aging of the immune system. Here we dissect this theory by comparing changes occurring to B-cells during healthy aging to the ones occurring during chronic immune activation in younger individuals. Moreover, we discuss how these changes may affect or predict response to vaccination in immune compromised individuals.