Chronic Inflammation (Inflammaging): Difference between revisions
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[[File:Histopathology of acute and chronic inflammation of the gastro-esophageal junction, annotated.jpg|right|frameless]] | |||
'''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. | '''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=== | ===The Basis of Inflammaging=== | ||
Inflammaging is driven by several factors, including: | 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. | *'''[[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. | *'''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. | *'''Genetic Factors''': Certain genetic predispositions can influence the extent and impact of inflammaging. | ||
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*'''Cardiovascular Diseases''': Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions. | *'''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. | *'''Metabolic Disorders''': Inflammation is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. | ||
*'''Neurodegenerative | *'''[[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. | *'''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. | *'''Musculoskeletal Disorders''': Conditions like osteoarthritis and sarcopenia are associated with increased inflammatory activity. | ||
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*'''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. | *'''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. | *'''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. | *'''[[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. | *'''[[Mitochondrial Dysfunction]]''': Dysfunctional mitochondria can release reactive oxygen species and other signals that promote inflammatory responses. | ||
===Therapeutic Strategies=== | ===Therapeutic Strategies=== | ||
Several strategies are being investigated to mitigate inflammaging and its impact on age-related diseases: | Several strategies are being investigated to mitigate inflammaging and its impact on age-related diseases: | ||
Latest revision as of 04:10, 7 January 2024
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, 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
- Wikipedia - Chronic inflammation