Immune responses in the skin in old age

A marked increase in the susceptibility to cutaneous infections and malignancies has been observed in older humans indicating that cutaneous immunity becomes defective with age. In this review we will focus on recent developments in the understanding of age-related changes in immune function of the skin with a particular emphasis on how alterations in the interaction between cells involved in innate and adaptive immunity leads to decreased cutaneous antigen-specific T cell immunosurveillance.

► Immunity decreases in skin during ageing. ► The collaboration between innate and adaptive arms of the immune response is altered in skin during ageing. ► Antigen specific T cells in blood are normal but do not enter the skin. ► Regulatory T cells might inhibit the production of cytokines that activate the endothelium at the site of immune response. ► Decreased immune surveillance during ageing may predispose individuals to malignancy and infection.