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Immunity & Ageing
Published in: Immunity & Ageing 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

Immunological and non-immunological mechanisms of allergic diseases in the elderly: biological and clinical characteristics

Authors: Gabriele Di Lorenzo, Danilo Di Bona, Federica Belluzzo, Luigi Macchia

Published in: Immunity & Ageing | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

A better hygiene, a Westernized diet, air pollution, climate changes, and other factors that influence host microbiota, a key player in the induction and maintenance of immunoregulatory circuits and tolerance, are thought to be responsible for the increase of allergic diseases observed in the last years. The increase of allergic diseases in elderly is related to the presence of other factors as several comorbidities that should interfere with the development and the type of allergic reactions. A central role is played by immunosenescence responsible for modifying response to microbiota and triggering inflamm-ageing. In addition, in elderly there is a shift from Th1 responses vs. Th2, hence favouring allergic responses. Better understanding of the mechanisms of immunosenescence and its effects on allergic inflammation will most certainly lead to improved therapy.
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Metadata
Title
Immunological and non-immunological mechanisms of allergic diseases in the elderly: biological and clinical characteristics
Authors
Gabriele Di Lorenzo
Danilo Di Bona
Federica Belluzzo
Luigi Macchia
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Immunity & Ageing / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4933
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-017-0105-4

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