Open Longevity Science

2012, 6 : 112-120
Published online 2012 June 29. DOI: 10.2174/1876326X01206010112
Publisher ID: TOLSJ-6-112

New Cells in Old Mice: The ABCs of Humoral Immunosenescence

Yi Hao , Michael A. Oropallo , Jean L. Scholz and Michael P. Cancro
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 284 John Morgan Building, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadel- phia, PA 19104-6082, USA.

ABSTRACT

Dampened humoral immune responses and increased propensity for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are hallmarks of aging. Here, we summarize recent progress in understanding how aging affects humoral immunity, focus-ing on the discovery of a phenotypically and functionally unique B cell subset in aged mice, its potential role in immunosenescence, and its relationship to increased inflammation and autoimmunity.

Keywords:

Age, B cell homeostasis, function.