Abstract
The immune system undergoes a process of profound remodelling during aging, referred to as immunosenescence, and characterized by complex modifications of several components. In this review, we discuss recent developments and observations regarding the generation of T cells in the thymus during aging and longevity, and the regulation and maintenance of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The generation of new T cells is indeed crucial to maintain a functional immune system, and is a fundamental step to avoid unsuccessful aging, thus reaching longevity in good health. Mechanisms will be described that are related to the production and maintenance of those lymphocytes defined “recent thymic emigrants”, and to the detection of the so called “T cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC)”, along with the presence in the periphery of naïve and memory T cells, that can be influenced and regulated by several different mechanisms. Several strategies aimed at improving thymic functionality are currently receiving a growing interest, and some of them are based on molecules that are produced by, and/or act on immune cells. Data on the possible use of these molecules, including cytokines like interleukin (IL)-7, IL-15 and keratinocyte growth factor, to restore thymic function are reviewed and discussed.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: T Cell Homeostasis in Centenarians: From the Thymus to the Periphery
Volume: 16 Issue: 6
Author(s): M. Pinti, M. Nasi, E. Lugli, L. Gibellini, L. Bertoncelli, E. Roat, S. De Biasi, C. Mussini and A. Cossarizza
Affiliation:
Keywords: aging, longevity, thymus, sjTREC, IL-7, T cell
Abstract: The immune system undergoes a process of profound remodelling during aging, referred to as immunosenescence, and characterized by complex modifications of several components. In this review, we discuss recent developments and observations regarding the generation of T cells in the thymus during aging and longevity, and the regulation and maintenance of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The generation of new T cells is indeed crucial to maintain a functional immune system, and is a fundamental step to avoid unsuccessful aging, thus reaching longevity in good health. Mechanisms will be described that are related to the production and maintenance of those lymphocytes defined “recent thymic emigrants”, and to the detection of the so called “T cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC)”, along with the presence in the periphery of naïve and memory T cells, that can be influenced and regulated by several different mechanisms. Several strategies aimed at improving thymic functionality are currently receiving a growing interest, and some of them are based on molecules that are produced by, and/or act on immune cells. Data on the possible use of these molecules, including cytokines like interleukin (IL)-7, IL-15 and keratinocyte growth factor, to restore thymic function are reviewed and discussed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Pinti M., Nasi M., Lugli E., Gibellini L., Bertoncelli L., Roat E., De Biasi S., Mussini C. and Cossarizza A., T Cell Homeostasis in Centenarians: From the Thymus to the Periphery, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2010; 16 (6) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210790883705
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210790883705 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Nutrigenomics and Its Approaches for Control of Chronic Diseases
Current Biotechnology Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist - NAVA
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Screening for Silent Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetics- or Not?
Current Diabetes Reviews Oxytocin - A Multifunctional Analgesic for Chronic Deep Tissue Pain
Current Pharmaceutical Design Chemical and Medicinal Versatility of Substituted 1,4-Dihydropyridines
Current Bioactive Compounds Mood Stabilizers, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidative Defense in Euthymia of Bipolar Disorder
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets High-Density Lipoprotein-Mediated Anti-Atherosclerotic and Endothelial-Protective Effects: A Potential Novel Therapeutic Target in Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Gene Therapy Approaches in an Autoimmune Demyelinating Disease: Multiple Sclerosis
Current Gene Therapy β-Synuclein Assembly as a Therapeutic Target of Parkinsons Disease and Related Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Macrophages in Immunopathology of Atherosclerosis: A Target for Diagnostics and Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial (Hot Topic: Novel Biomarkers in the Prognosis, Progression and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of microRNAs )
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Antihypertensive Drug Treatment and Circadian Blood Pressure Rhythm: A Review of the Role of Chronotherapy in Hypertension
Current Pharmaceutical Design Effects of Endothelins on Cardiac and Vascular Cells: New Therapeutic Target for the Future?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effect of <i>Iris taochia</i> Plant Extracts on Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells
Current Proteomics Impacts of Nanoparticles on Cardiovascular Diseases: Modulating Metabolism and Function of Endothelial Cells
Current Drug Metabolism Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease and Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton in Inflammatory Cells: The Actin Cytoskeleton as a Target
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Supraventricular Tachycardia in Fetus: How Can We Treat ?
Current Pharmaceutical Design <i>Tylophora hirsuta</i> (Wall.) Extracts Ameliorate Diabetes Associated with Inflammation in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets HbA1c, Fructosamine, and Glycated Albumin in the Detection of Dysglycaemic Conditions
Current Diabetes Reviews Cytokine Gene Variants as Predictors of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews