The immune system, a marker and modulator of the rate of aging

Abstract

The ageing process shows heterogeneity in the changes suffered by each physiological system in the diverse members of a population of the same chronological age. This phenomenon led to the concept of biological ageing, which determines the rate of ageing experienced by each individual and therefore his/her life quality and expectancy. Since the biological age of a subject is difficult to measure, it is necessary to find markers, which will make it possible. The functional capacity of immune cells has been proposed as a marker of health, and using mice with premature senescence, long-lived mice, and human centenarians, it has been confirmed that several immune functions are good markers of biological age and predictors of longevity. Moreover, we have proposed the oxidation-inflammation theory of ageing, in which the immune system is involved in the rate of oxi-inflamm-ageing of the organism and in the biological age. This has been confirmed that applying several lifestyle strategies improves the immune cell functions, decreases oxidative stress, improves the general health, and consequently increases longevity in elderly.