Objective To investigate the changes and the clinical significance of serum concentration of soluble Fas (sFas) and Fas ligand (FasL) in the elderly. Methods Fifty elderly subjects and forty-seven adults were recruited. Serum concentration of sFas and EasL were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Psychosocial stress and coping styles were also evaluated. Results The sFas level of the elderly was significantly higher than that in control group,whereas the EasL level was decreased with ageing (P<0.01). A positive correlation between sFas level and psychosocial stress, and a negative correlation between sFas level and positive coping were also found (all P<0. 05). Conclusions Age-related changes occur in serum sEas and EasL levels.The interaction of sFas/FasL system with psychosocial stress and coping styles seems to play important roles in immunosenescence. Our results also suggest that during aging a subtle balance between sFas and FasL could exist.