View source for Chronic Inflammation (Inflammaging)

'''Chronic inflammation''', often referred to as '''inflammaging''', is recognized as a significant hallmark of aging. It is characterized by a low-grade, chronic, systemic inflammation that persists throughout the aging process. Unlike acute inflammation, which is a necessary and beneficial process for fighting infections and healing injuries, chronic inflammation can have detrimental effects over time, contributing to the pathogenesis of various age-related diseases.

===The Basis of Inflammaging===
Inflammaging is driven by several factors, including:
*'''[[Cellular Senescence]]''': Senescent cells accumulate with age and secrete inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and proteases, known collectively as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This contributes significantly to the chronic inflammatory state.
*'''Immune System Dysregulation''': Aging is associated with changes in the immune system, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence, which can lead to an imbalanced immune response and prolonged inflammatory activity.
*'''Genetic Factors''': Certain genetic predispositions can influence the extent and impact of inflammaging.
*'''Environmental and Lifestyle Factors''': Diet, lifestyle, and exposure to environmental toxins can contribute to or exacerbate chronic inflammation.
===Impact on Health and Disease===
Chronic inflammation is implicated in a wide range of age-related conditions, including:
*'''Cardiovascular Diseases''': Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions.
*'''Metabolic Disorders''': Inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
*'''[[Neurodegenerative Disorders]]''': Inflammatory processes are involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
*'''Cancer''': Chronic inflammation can lead to DNA damage, promote tumor growth, and suppress immune surveillance.
*'''Musculoskeletal Disorders''': Conditions like osteoarthritis and sarcopenia are associated with increased inflammatory activity.
===Mechanisms of Inflammaging===
Inflammaging involves various cellular and molecular pathways:
*'''Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) Pathway''': NF-κB is a key regulator of inflammatory responses. Its persistent activation is a common feature of chronic inflammation and aging.
*'''Inflammasomes''': Inflammasomes are protein complexes that promote the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, contributing to the chronic inflammatory milieu.
*'''[[Dysbiosis]]''': Alterations in the gut microbiome can lead to increased intestinal permeability and a chronic systemic inflammatory state.
*'''[[Mitochondrial Dysfunction]]''': Dysfunctional mitochondria can release reactive oxygen species and other signals that promote inflammatory responses.
===Therapeutic Strategies===
Several strategies are being investigated to mitigate inflammaging and its impact on age-related diseases:
*'''Anti-Inflammatory Drugs''': Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and targeted biologics are used to reduce inflammation, although their long-term use in aging populations needs careful consideration due to side effects.
*'''[[Senolytics]]''': Drugs that selectively eliminate senescent cells are being developed to reduce the burden of SASP and its inflammatory effects.
*'''Lifestyle Interventions''': Diet, [[Exercise|exercise]], and stress management have been shown to influence inflammation levels and can be part of a comprehensive approach to reduce inflammaging.
*'''Immunomodulation''': Strategies to modulate the immune system, including vaccines and immune-boosting therapies, are under investigation to address immunosenescence and chronic inflammation.

== See Also ==

* [[Hallmarks of Aging]]
* {{SeeWikipedia|Chronic inflammation|}}

[[Category:Hallmarks of Aging]]