Altered cytokine production in the elderly
L Rink, I Cakman, H Kirchner - Mechanisms of ageing and development, 1998 - Elsevier
Elderly persons are more susceptible to bacterial and virus infections and neoplasias than
young adults. This is related to an impaired immune response. Lymphocytes of the elderly
show a decreased proliferation after induction with mitogens. The decreased proliferation is
correlated to a decreased release of interleukin (IL)-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R).
However, IL-2R expression on the cell surface is normal. Interferon (IFN)-γ as the main T-
helper-1 (TH1) cytokine is produced less by lymphocytes of the elderly, whereas the TH2 …
young adults. This is related to an impaired immune response. Lymphocytes of the elderly
show a decreased proliferation after induction with mitogens. The decreased proliferation is
correlated to a decreased release of interleukin (IL)-2 and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R).
However, IL-2R expression on the cell surface is normal. Interferon (IFN)-γ as the main T-
helper-1 (TH1) cytokine is produced less by lymphocytes of the elderly, whereas the TH2 …