T cells and aging (update february 1999).

Deterioration of the immune system with aging ("immunosenescence") is believed to contribute to morbidity and mortality in man due to the greater incidence of infection, as well as possibly autoimmune phenomena and cancer in the aged. Dysregulation of T cell function is thought to play a critical part in these processes. Factors contributing to T cell immunosenescence may include a) stem cell defects, b) thymus involution, c) defects in antigen presenting cells (APC), d) aging of resting immune cells, e) disrupted activation pathways in immune cells, f) replicative senescence of clonally expanding cells. This review aims to consider the current state of knowledge on the scientific basis for and potential clinical relevance of those factors in immunosenescence.