Effect of age on cytokine production in humans

Aging is accompanied by many changes in immune response, with the most cons istent and dramatic alterations occurring within the T cell compartment. Si nce cytokines are central to immune cell communications, age-associated cha nges in cytokine production may contribute to these alterations. While data from murine studies suggest a switch from a Th1 (IL-2, IFN gamma) to a Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) cytokine response, this model has not been as clearly established in humans. In addition, this current review of over 50 stud ies in humans suggests that age-associated changes in cytokine production are not consistent.