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Cited by 135T-cell and B-cell ImmunologyTelomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceImmune responses and vaccinations

Will telomere erosion lead to a loss of T-cell memory?

Akbar, Arne N., Beverley, Peter C. L., Salmon, Mike·2004·Nature Reviews Immunology
DOI 10.1038/nri1440
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Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that elderly individuals are more susceptible to infection with organisms to which they were previously immune. This indicates that there might be a limit to the persistence of immune memory. This fact is particularly disturbing because the average life expectancy of humans has almost doubled in the past 200 years and is still increasing. We discuss mechanisms that might constrain the persistence of memory T cells and consider whether humans will suffer from memory T-cell exhaustion as life expectancy increases.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nri1440

Cites

8 of 8 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Restriction of proliferation of T cells specific for frequently encountered or persistent antigens may compromise maintenance of specific immunity in older humans.

    “The restriction to the extent of proliferation of T cells, especially those that are specific for frequently encountered or persistent antigens may therefore compromise the maintenance of specific immunity in older humans as they may be driven towards senescence [1, 12].”

    From Senescence of T Lymphocytes: Implications for Enhancing Human Immunity (2016) · cites this paper as [1]

  • Immunity declines during ageing, manifest as increased susceptibility to infection by previously encountered and new emerging pathogens and decreased ability to respond to vaccination.

    “Immunity declines during ageing and this is highlighted by the increased susceptibility to infection induced by previously encountered [1, 2] as well as new emerging pathogens [3-5] and also decreased ability to respond to vaccination [6].”

    From Senescence of T Lymphocytes: Implications for Enhancing Human Immunity (2016) · cites this paper as [1]

  • The key features of the senescence phenotype are common to fibroblasts and T cells, such as lack of proliferation, short telomeres, and inability to upregulate telomerase.

    “The key features of the senescence phenotype are common to fibroblast and T cells, such as the lack of proliferation, short telomeres and the inability to upregulate telomerase.”

    From Senescence of T Lymphocytes: Implications for Enhancing Human Immunity (2016) · cites this paper as [1]

  • A major difference between fibroblast and T cell senescence is susceptibility to apoptosis, with fibroblasts being long lived and T cells succumbing to death by apoptosis.

    “However a major difference is the susceptibility to apoptosis with fibroblasts being long lived and T cells succumbing to death by apoptosis.”

    From Senescence of T Lymphocytes: Implications for Enhancing Human Immunity (2016) · cites this paper as [1]

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Authors
Akbar, A. N., Beverley, P. C. L., & Salmon, M.
Affiliations
  • The Royal Free Hospital (GB)
  • Jenner Institute (GB)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Akbar, Arne N.
ORCID
Venue
Nature Reviews Immunology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2004-09-01
Volume
4
Issue
9
Pages
737-743
ISSN
  • 1474-1733 (ISSN-L)
  • 1474-1741
DOI
10.1038/nri1440
OpenAlex
W1484491723
Cited by
135
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune responses and vaccinations
Keywords
telomere shortening, memory T cells, T cell exhaustion, aging, life expectancy, immunosenescence
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Animals, Communicable Diseases, Humans, Immunologic Memory, T-Lymphocytes, Telomere, Cellular Senescence, Mice

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