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Review
. 2022;12(s1):S93-S104.
doi: 10.3233/JPD-223228.

Age-Related Adaptive Immune Changes in Parkinson's Disease

Antonina Kouli  1 , Caroline H Williams-Gray  1
Affiliations
Review

Age-Related Adaptive Immune Changes in Parkinson's Disease

Antonina Kouli et al. J Parkinsons Dis. 2022.

Abstract

Ageing is a major risk factor for most neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Progressive age-related dysregulation of the immune system is termed immunosenescence and is responsible for the weakened response to novel antigens, increased susceptibility to infections and reduced effectiveness of vaccines seen in the elderly. Immune activation, both within the brain and periphery, is heavily implicated in PD but the role of immunosenescence has not been fully explored. Studies to date provide some evidence for an attenuation in immunosenescence in PD, particularly a reduction in senescent CD8 T lymphocytes in PD cases compared to similarly aged controls. Here, we discuss recent evidence of age-related immune abnormalities in PD with a focus on T cell senescence and explore their potential role in disease pathogenesis and development.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; T lymphocytes; ageing; immunosenescence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic illustration showing a hypothesized relationship between immunosenescence and Parkinson’s disease risk/progression. With advancing age there is progressive decline in the size and function of the thymus gland (thymic involution), as well as increased exposure to viruses such as cytomegalovirus. This leads to immunosenescence, characterized by a reduction in antigen-inexperienced naïve T cells and an increase in “senescent” terminally differentiated effector T cells (TEMRA). The senescent shift is associated with a weakened immune response to novel antigens. However, in people who are predisposed to develop Parkinson’s disease, the typical age-associated shift towards senescence in the CD8 T cell population may be attenuated, with a reduced accumulation of CD8 TEMRA T cells in these individuals. This could lead to a heightened immune response to newly encountered antigens (such as misfolded alpha-synuclein), thereby increasing the risk of developing Parkinson’s and/or promoting more rapid disease progression. CMV, Cytomegalovirus; PD, Parkinson’s disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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