Studying 'inflamm-aging': Monocytes, cytokines, and susceptibility to pneumonia
Friday, January 15, 2016 - 14:11
in Health & Medicine
The chronic state of low-level inflammation seen in many elderly individuals (sometimes called 'inflamm-aging'), is associated with diseases such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, as well as susceptibility to infections, especially pneumonia. A new study reveals a crucial role of monocytes in the immune system changes that occur with age, and may help explain why older people are more susceptible to pneumonia.