Innate immunosenescence and sepsis in the elderly: mechanisms and innate immune modulation strategies.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of innate immunosenescence in elderly patients with sepsis and to evaluate the potential application of innate immune modulation strategies in clinical management. Through a literature review, the characteristics of sepsis in the elderly, the aging mechanisms of the innate immune system, the impact of immunosenescence on susceptibility to sepsis, and clinical management strategies for sepsis in the elderly were analyzed. The incidence and mortality rates of sepsis in the elderly increase significantly with age, closely related to the severity of infection, the high prevalence of comorbidities, atypical symptoms, and a greater risk of multi-organ failure. Innate immunosenescence, including the decline in function of neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells, is a key factor in the increased susceptibility to sepsis in the elderly. Immunomodulatory treatments, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon γ (IFN-γ), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), show potential in improving the prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis and reducing mortality rates. The management of sepsis in the elderly requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account age-related physiological and pathological changes, as well as early diagnosis and proactive intervention measures. Immunomodulatory strategies targeting the unique characteristics of immunosenescence in the elderly offer new avenues for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes in elderly patients with sepsis.