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. 1998 Oct;21(4):137–151. doi: 10.1007/s11357-998-0024-6

Effect of age on cytokine production in humans

Erica D Bernstein 1,2, Donna M Murasko 1,2
PMCID: PMC3455461  PMID: 23604376

Abstract

Aging is accompanied by many changes in immune response, with the most consistent and dramatic alterations occurring within the T cell compartment. Since cytokines are central to immune cell communications, age-associated changes in cytokine production may contribute to these alterations. While data from murine studies suggest a switch from a Th1 (IL-2, IFNγ) 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 studies in humans suggests that age-associated changes in cytokine production are not consistent.

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