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Review
Nature Reviews Immunology 8, 512–522 (1 July 2008) | doi:10.1038/nri2318
Ageing and life-long maintenance of T-cell subsets in the face of latent persistent infections
Abstract
A diverse and well-balanced repertoire of T cells is thought to be crucial for the efficacious defence against infection with new or re-emerging pathogens throughout life. In the last third of the mammalian lifespan, the maintenance of a balanced T-cell repertoire becomes highly challenging because of the changes in T-cell production and consumption. In this Review, I question whether latent persistent pathogens might be key factors that drive this imbalance and whether they determine the extent of age-associated immune deficiency.
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