Table 2

Molecules involved in premature immune aging

Telomerase

Insufficient repair of telomeric ends in old T cells

Ataxia telangiectasia mutated

Blunted repair of DNA double-strand breaks in old T cells

DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs)

Excessive activation of the DNA repair machinery with triggering of cellular stress pathways in old T cells

Reactive oxygen species

Impaired cellular detoxification of reactive oxygen species, accumulation of oxidized lipids and proteins, modification of signaling proteins and membranes

Mohan et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2011 13:231   doi:10.1186/ar3358