inPractice® - Similarities Between Immune Dysfunction of Aging and That Due to HIV Infection

Chronic immune activation contributes to immunologic compromise in patients with HIV and uninfected aging individuals, although mechanisms differ^{[Effros 2008; Appay 2008; Jiang 2009]}
- Net result is likely to contribute to accelerated loss of immune function in older, patients with HIV^{[Effros 2008; Appay 2008; Brenchley 2006; Effros 2011]}
Immunologic perturbations seen in older individuals both with and without HIV include: reduced thymic volume and function, inversion of the normal CD4+/CD8+ cell count ratio, reduced numbers of naive and increased numbers of memory CD4+ and CD8+ cells, shortened telomeres in CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and loss of CD28 expression on CD8+ cells^{[Effros 2011; High 2012; Effros 2008; Jamieson 1999; Kalayjian 2003; Lichterfeld 2008]}