Aging and the immune response to organ transplantation

J Clin Invest. 2017 Jun 30;127(7):2523-2529. doi: 10.1172/JCI90601. Epub 2017 May 15.

Abstract

An increasing number of older people receive organ transplants for various end-stage conditions. Although organ transplantation is an effective therapy for older patients (i.e., older than 65 years of age), such as in end-stage renal disease, this therapy has not been optimized for older patients because of our lack of understanding of the effect of aging and the immune response to organ transplantation. Here, we provide an overview of the impact of aging on both the allograft and the recipient and its effect on the immune response to organ transplantation. We describe what has been determined to date, discuss existing gaps in our knowledge, and make suggestions on necessary future studies to optimize organ transplantation for older people.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / immunology
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Transplantation Immunology*