Age, immunity and the skin.

ABSTRACT

With advancing age there is a decrease in T-lymphocyte functions leading to defective cell-mediated immune responses and decreased levels of immunoglobulin G, which is produced by B cells under the influence of certain T lymphocytes. Decreased resistance to viruses as a result of the depression of T-cell function may lead to some clinical viral infections which trigger autoimmune diseases. The diminished T cell's immune response and its inability to eliminate ultraviolet-light-damaged epidermal cells may be in part responsible for the increased incidence of skin malignancies in elderly patients.