The role of exercise on the innate immunity of the elderly

Abstract

The increased life span in human population has shown that some diseases, as infections, cancer and autoimmune phenomena, occur more frequently in the elderly than in the younger. We describe the ageing process involving the innate immune system and the improvement given by moderate physical activity. In addition, we discuss the altered neutrophil granulocytes function, the role of macrophages and natural killer cells, besides the influence of cytokines and secretory IgA. The acquired information help us to explain how these changes could favor the onset of diseases in the elderly and how they may boost their immune function.

Acquired immunity: immunosenescence and physical activity

“…In elderly subjects practicing regularly moderate exercise training, some aspects of immunosenescence are attenuated or improved, both innate immunity [47] and acquired immunity, as the reduction of memory cells and the increase of naïve T cells [79,80] increase further the production of primary antibody response [71].…”

“…Physical activity leads to several changes in leucocyte subpopulations, involving both innate immunity [47] and acquired immunity.…”

“…In our previous review, we have evaluated the changes in physical activityinduced innate immunity [47]. The aim of the present review is to evaluate the changes that physical activity has on adaptive immunity and examining the alterations of acquired immunity both with aging and physical activity.…”

Autoimmunity in the elderly: Implications for cancer

“…reduced IL-2) and higher levels of Th2 cytokines as IL-4. [10] Qualitative alteration is the defect in IL-2 production by memory CD4 + T-cells that are generated in aged mice: though memory CD4+ T-cells are deficient in IL-2 production, it has been seen that the presence of exogenous IL-2 can restore the young naïve cell cytokine levels. [11] Also, the B-cells' compartment is affected by aging, showing a reduction of the proportion of B-cells in the peripheral blood.…”

La Influencia Del Ejercicio Aerobio en El Sistema Inmunológico Del Adulto Mayor

“…Los cambios en el sistema inmunológico derivados del paso de la edad, ponen con más probabilidad de riesgo de contagio de infecciones principalmente del tracto respi-ratorio superior, denominado en la literatura como Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (27). Los anticuerpos como la inmunoglobulina A (IgA), protegen contra infecciones y juegan un rol importante de protección en la mucosa respiratoria y gastrointestinal contra virus y bacterias (28).…”