Stress, ageing and their influence on functional, cellular and molecular aspects of the immune system

Abstract

The immune response is essential for keeping an organism healthy and for defending it from different types of pathogens. It is a complex system that consists of a large number of components performing different functions. The adequate and controlled interaction between these components is necessary for a robust and strong immune response. There are, however, many factors that interfere with the way the immune response functions. Stress and ageing now consistently appear in the literature as factors that act upon the immune system in the way that is often damaging. This review focuses on the role of stress and ageing in altering the robustness of the immune response first separately, and then simultaneously, discussing the effects that emerge from their interplay. The special focus is on the psychological stress and the impact that it has at different levels, from the whole system to the individual molecules, resulting in consequences for physical health.

Reconstruction of NK Cells During Complex Cancer Treatment

“…In the glucan-supplemented group, only small change was found, but in the placebo group we found significant weight reduction. In a short term of evaluation, we do not consider nutritional changes as significant [8] , despite the desperate need for a weight decrease in patients with high BMI [17] . Our findings showed the same dynamic of changes in levels of leptin -nonsignificant changes in the glucansupplemented group, stronger (but still statistically nonsignificant) decrease in the placebo group.…”

“…Stress and aging are important factors affectingimmune systemquality [17] . Cancer patients usually suffer from a cascade of stressors, starting with the original diagnosis, followed up with confirmation or diagnosis, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and subsequent endless control evaluations.…”

“…Stress levels are strongly influenced by quality of ambulatory and hospital care. Acute stressis slowly changed into chronic stress which is a non-adaptive phenomenon [17] . Connection between central nervous system and immune system was repeatedly confirmed with the main effects persisting stress signals.…”

“…Connection between central nervous system and immune system was repeatedly confirmed with the main effects persisting stress signals. Persisting stress results in slower healing, slower reparation of physical conditions and higher sensitivity of infections [17] . In addition, stress reactions can negatively influence the control over some infections.…”

As we age: Does slippage of quality control in the immune system lead to collateral damage?

“…Immune effector function mediated by a multitude of specific and nonspecific toxic mechanisms is a dangerous ally that must be strictly controlled at all times to prevent or limit autoimmune tissue damage. Thus, appropriately controlled interactions between the many cellular and humoral components of the immune system are essential for a competent immune response that causes a minimum of collateral damage (Badowski et al, 2014;Baylis et al, 2013;Shaw et al, 2013;Vitlic et al, 2014). This task is complicated because on the one hand, the immune system must actively defend the organism against extrinsic pathogens, but at the same time, must be able to discriminate between beneficial and pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms colonizing our gut (Burton, 2009;Faragher et al, 2014;Hooper et al, 2012;Vadasz et al, 2013), while avoiding autoimmunity.…”