Several mechanisms contribute to immunosenescence, including:
1. Thymic Involution: The thymus, where T-cells mature, shrinks with age, reducing the production of new T-cells. 2. Chronic Inflammation: Aging is associated with a state of low-grade chronic inflammation, known as "inflammaging," which can impair immune function. 3. Cellular Senescence: Immune cells themselves undergo senescence, losing their proliferative capacity and functional abilities. 4. Altered Cytokine Production: Changes in cytokine profiles can affect immune cell communication and responses.
