Esearch advances in the immune dysfunction and abnormal B-cell responses in elderly HIV-infected patients

Immune senescence is a phenomenon in which immune function gradually decreases to dysfunction with the increase of age, and it is a gradual natural degeneration process of the gene-controlled immune system. It is mainly manifested in the weakening of immune recognition and immune response, and the disorder of immune function. The immune dysfunction and immune senescence may also occur to different degree in HIV-1-infected patients and aging people. HIV infection and aging will both lead to immune dysfunction. HIV infection is associated with abnormalities in all major lymphocyte populations, including B cells, which ultimately result in severe exhaustion of several lymphocyte functions and increases susceptibility to secondary and opportunistic infections. Recently, with the increasing trend of the aging of HIV-1-infected/AIDS patients, the elderly have become a high-risk group of HIV infection. Thus, it is of great practical and clinical significance to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of B-cell abnormalities in HIV disease, compare and analyze the changes of immune system in elderly and young HIV patients, and explore more efficient ways of prevention and treatment of elderly HIV/AIDS patients. Key words: HIV; Immune senescence; B lymphocytes