B cells and immunosenescence: A focus on IgG+IgD−CD27− (DN) B cells in aged humans

Immunosenescence contributes to the decreased ability of the elderly to control infectious diseases, which is also reflected in their generally poor response to new antigens and vaccination. It is known that the T cell branch of the immune system is impaired in the elderly mainly due to expansion of memory/effector cells that renders the immune system less able to respond to new antigens. B lymphocytes are also impaired in the elderly in terms of their response to new antigens. In this paper we review recent work on B cell immunosenescence focusing our attention on memory B cells and a subset of memory B cells (namely IgG+IgD−CD27−) that we have demonstrated is increased in healthy elderly.

Research highlights▶ IgD−CD27− B cells (DN, double negative) are increased in elderly and centenarians. ▶ DN cells are thought to be exhausted or deregulated B cells. ▶ Centenarian offsprings, genetically advantaged for good ageing, have not high DN cells. ▶ AD donors have low DN cells as others have described less CD8+CD28− exhausted T cells.