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Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age

Anna Katharina Simon, Georg A. Holländer, Andrew J. McMichael

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · 2015 · ▲ 1,790 citations

Stem-cell exhaustion Human Review

Abstract

This article reviews the development of the immune response through neonatal, infant and adult life, including pregnancy, ending with the decline in old age. A picture emerges of a child born with an immature, innate and adaptive immune system, which matures and acquires memory as he or she grows. It then goes into decline in old age. These changes are considered alongside the risks of different types of infection, autoimmune disease and malignancy.

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Provenance

Source: OpenAlex
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.3085
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Fetched: 2026-06-10 MST

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APA

Simon, A.K., Holländer, G.A., & McMichael, A.J. (2015). Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. <em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</em>. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2014.3085

Vancouver

Simon AK, Holländer GA, McMichael AJ. Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences. 2015. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.3085.

BibTeX

@article{anna2015Evolut, title = {Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age}, author = {Anna Katharina Simon and Georg A. Holländer and Andrew J. McMichael}, journal = {Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences}, year = {2015}, doi = {10.1098/rspb.2014.3085}, }