Dendritic cells and dysregulated immunity in the elderly

Abstract

Dendritic cells play a central role in generating immunity against foreign antigens and are also crucial in maintenance of tolerance in the periphery and in the mucosa. Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of most diseases associated with old age. Increased susceptibility to infections particularly of the respiratory mucosa is another characteristic of advancing age. This chapter discusses how the age-associated modifications in dendritic cells functions can account for the above-mentioned aged signatures in particular for humans.