Immune aging in diabetes and its implications in wound healing

Publication date: Available online 5 February 2019

Source: Clinical Immunology

Author(s): J. Moura, P. Madureira, E.C. Leal, A.C. Fonseca, E. Carvalho

Abstract

Immune systems have evolved to recognize and eliminate pathogens and damaged cells. In humans, it is estimated to recognize 10⁹ epitopes and natural selection ensures that clonally expanded cells replace unstimulated cells and overall immune cell numbers remain stationary.

But, with age, it faces continuous repertoire restriction and concomitant accumulation of primed cells. Changes shaping the aging immune system have bitter consequences because, as inflammatory responses gain intensity and duration, tissue-damaging immunity and inflammatory disease arise.

During inflammation, the glycolytic flux cannot cope with increasing ATP demands, limiting the immune response's extent. In diabetes, higher glucose availability stretches the glycolytic limit, dysregulating proteostasis and increasing T-cell expansion. Long-term hyperglycemia exerts an accumulating effect, leading to higher inflammatory cytokine levels and increased cytotoxic mediator secretion upon infection, a phenomenon known as diabetic chronic inflammation.

Here we review the etiology of diabetic chronic inflammation and its consequences on wound healing.

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