Understanding the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination in older adults: A systems biology approach

Nathaniel D. Lambert, Inna G. Ovsyannikova, V. Shane Pankratz, Robert M. Jacobson, Gregory A. Poland

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is recommended to decrease disease-related mortality and morbidity. However, one population that responds suboptimally to influenza vaccine is adults over the age of 65 years. The natural aging process is associated with a complex deterioration of multiple components of the host immune system. Research into this phenomenon, known as immunosenescence, has shown that aging alters both the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system. The intricate mechanisms involved in immune response to influenza vaccine, and how these responses are altered with age, have led us to adopt a more encompassing systems biology approach to understand exactly why the response to vaccination diminishes with age. Here, the authors review what changes occur with immunosenescence, and some immunogenetic factors that influence response, and outline the systems biology approach to understand the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination in older adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)985-994
Number of pages10
JournalExpert review of vaccines
Volume11
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2012

Keywords

  • bioinformatics
  • immunogenetics
  • immunosenescence
  • influenza
  • seasonal influenza vaccine
  • systems biology
  • vaccine-induced immunity
  • vaccinomics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

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