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Review
. 2018 Mar 8:2018:6039171.
doi: 10.1155/2018/6039171. eCollection 2018.

The Role of Immunosenescence in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Erica Costantini  1 , Chiara D'Angelo  1 , Marcella Reale  1
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Immunosenescence in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Erica Costantini et al. Mediators Inflamm. .

Abstract

Aging is characterized by the progressive decline of physiological function and tissue homeostasis leading to increased vulnerability, degeneration, and death. Aging-related changes of the innate and adaptive immune system include decline in the preservation and enhancement of many immune functions, such as changes in the number of circulating monocytic and dendritic cells, thymic involution, T cell polyfunctionality, or production of proinflammatory cytokines, and are defined as immunosenescence. Inflammatory functions are increased with age, causing the chronic low-grade inflammation, referred to as inflamm-aging, that contribute, together with immunosenescence, to neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the link between the immune and nervous systems and how the immunosenescence and inflamm-aging can contribute to neurodegenerative diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of immune cell age-related changes, leading to inflamm-aging, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immune activation in neurodegenerative diseases and healthy brain. The neurodegeneration is accompanied by immunosenescence and inflamm-aging. During aging, neuronal cells modify their morphology, and their overactivation leads to IL-6 and TNF-α abnormal production. The immune cells penetrate the damaged BBB and causes a further increase in proinflammatory cytokines, modulating, in turn, neuronal dysfunction.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Advantages and disadvantages of an inflammatory response. Phagocytosis eliminates the debris of dead or dying cells, thereby reducing the likelihood of further cell loss through the release of toxic agents. Cytokines and growth factors may help damaged neurons to survive and promote repair. Chronic inflammation can lead to the injury or death of neurons.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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