Mechanisms and Implications of Age-Associated Impaired Innate Interferon Secretion by Dendritic Cells: A Mini-Review

Initial secretion of interferons by innate immune cells such as dendritic cells is crucial for protection against infections as well as for alerting and activating the downstream immune responses. The secretion of innate interferons, both type I and type III, by dendritic cells is severely impaired in aged subjects. This review focuses on the mechanisms responsible for the reduced interferon secretion by dendritic cells and the role this plays in the increased susceptibility of the elderly to infections, particularly of the respiratory mucosa.