How aging compromises antiviral defenses: a role for imbalanced innate cytokine production.

Published in: Cell Host Microbe 2009 Nov; 6(5): 397-9

Authors: Guiton R, Dalod M

Summary

Aging causes enhanced susceptibility to viral infections. Stout-Delgado et al. (2009) report increased IL-17A production but reduced type I interferon levels in old mice infected by herpes viruses. This imbalance between proinflammatory and antiviral innate cytokine responses causes immunopathology and compromises virus control, which together lead to death by liver failure.

Link to Pubmed [PMID] – 19917493

Link to DOI – 10.1016/j.chom.2009.10.008