Hormones and immune function: implications of aging

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

    70 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aging is associated with a decline in immunity described as immunosenescence. This is paralleled by a decline in the production of several hormones, as typically illustrated by the menopausal loss of ovarian oestrogen production. However, other hormonal changes that occur with aging and that potentially impact on immune function include the release of the pineal gland hormone melatonin and pituitary growth hormone, adrenal production of dehydroepiandrosterone and tissue-specific availability of active vitamin D. It remains to be established whether hormonal changes with aging actually contribute to immunosenescence and this area is at the interface of fact and fiction, clearly inviting systematic research efforts. As a step in this direction, the present review summarizes established facts on the physiology of secretion and function of hormones that, in most cases, decline with aging and that are likely to affect the immune system.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)209-216
    Number of pages8
    JournalAging Cell
    Volume3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2004

    Keywords

    • melatonin
    • dehydroepiandrosterone
    • cortisol
    • steroids
    • vitamin D
    • aging

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