Why aging attenuates antiviral responses

Abstract

Immunology Older adults are more likely to die after influenza A viral infection than younger adults. This is in part because monocytes from older people produce less interferon and show reduced induction of antiviral genes in response to infection. Molony et al. found that monocytes from older human donors showed impaired signaling downstream of the cytosolic RNA sensor RIG-I, which initiates the innate immune response to influenza A virus. Thus, restoring RIG-I signaling in older individuals may reduce age-related mortality from influenza A viral infection. Sci. Signal. 10 , eaan2392 (2017).