Dendritic cells in human aging

Dendritic cells in human ageing Silvia Della Bella Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells (APCs) that possess the ability to stimulate naïve T cells. They comprise a system of leukocytes widely distributed in all tissues, especially in those that provide an environmental interface. DCs possess a heterogeneous haemopoietic lineage, in that subsets from different tissues have been shown to possess a differential morphology, phenotype and function. The ability to stimulate naïve T cell proliferation appears to be shared between these various DC subsets. Age induces multiple changes of dendritic cells in the blood, skin and other tissues. Two main detrimental effects of the age-related DCs changes are the increased constitutive activation of the macrophages or inflamaging, and the impaired responses of DCs to TLR-mediated stimulation. The chronic age-related stimulation of the macrophages can result in autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, cancer or CNS diseases that could be counteract by controlling CMV or other viral infections highly common in the elderly, and also by controlling obesity, when applicable, for metabolic and vascular function control will reduce the chronic inflammatory response. On the other hand, the impaired response to TLR-mediated stimulation results in increased susceptibility to infections, increased severity and mortality of infections, as well as reduced efficacy of vaccination