1.3.The Remodeling of the Immune System: Immunosenescence

The immune system maintains the healthy state of the body by preventing infections and malignant transformations, in addition to participating in tissue homeostasis. Whenever balance is lost, an inflammatory process is triggered, characterized by the secretion of a myriad of inflammatory mediators (NIKOLICH-ŽUGICH, 2018). During aging, several changes in immune system cells, in the microenvironment of lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs, where immune system cells reside, and in circulating factors that interact with both immune system cells and their microenvironment to ensure immune responses appropriate, as well as its homeostasis (NIKOLICH-ŽUGICH, 2018). These processes are highly interconnected and occur simultaneously in an organism, leading to a complex remodelling known as immunosenescence (KUILMAN et al., 2010); (MUSZKAT et al., 2003).

‌ In addition, aging-related diseases share some underlying similarities, triggered by homeostatic imbalance due to accumulation of stress and system disturbances, such as inflammatory processes, problems in repair mechanisms and recovery to the state of homeostasis. This phenomenon is considered one of the factors that most contribute to the increase in the frequency of malignant diseases, morbidity and mortality among the elderly population (GINALDI et al., 2001).