As we age our immune systems decline. Older people suffer from increased incidence and severity of both infections and cancer. In addition, vaccination becomes less efficient with age. Researchers from UCL have demonstrated how an interplay between nutrition, metabolism and immunity is involved in the process of ageing. The two new studies could help to enhance our immunity to disease through dietary intervention and help make existing immune system therapies more effective.
Research by Dr Sian Henson and Alessio Lanna in Professor Arne Akbar’s Research Group, supported by the BBSRC and MRC
Press release:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0814/250814-How-to-rejuvenate-aging-immune-cells
Further information:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/research/tabs/Akbar_short
Articles:
Henson – http://www.jci.org/articles/view/75051
Lanna – http://www.nature.com/ni/index.html
