Immunosenescence and Related Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Immunosenescence is characterized by age-associated changes in molecular and cellular components of the immune system that ultimately lead to a general impairment of the immune response. Since an adequate function of immune cells has been proposed as a marker of health, rate of aging or biological age, as well as a predictor of longevity, the alterations of this immune response is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Although the knowledge about the process of immunosenescence has increased in the last decades, many of the mechanisms involved in this process and associated pathologies are unknown. In agreement with the oxidation-inflammation theory of aging the base of immunosenescene is the age-related chronic oxidative and inflammatory stress of the immune cells, this stress being involved in oxi-inflamm-aging of the organism and consequently in the rate of aging. Nevertheless, in pathological states associated with oxidation and inflammation (depression and metabolic, cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases, among others), the process of immunosenescence and the mechanisms involved in the spread of immune cell alterations to the other cells of the body have hardly been studied. Similarly, it is also unknown how several life style strategies, such as the type of diet, physical activity, environmental enrichment, social relationships, etc., can improve the immune redox and inflammatory states and thus increase the longevity of the subjects. In addition, the mechanisms used by centenarians and individuals of high longevity, to modulate immunosenescence and to maintain good health, are only starting to be investigated.

This Special Issue is devoted to the age-related changes, associated with the process of immunosenescence, in inflammatory and oxidative stress states of the organism, in the cellular communication systems and in the signaling pathways. Moreover, how these mechanisms are modified in pathological situations and how they could accelerate the aging process will be commented on in this issue. In addition, the modulation mechanisms of the immunosenescence used by subjects reaching high longevity as well as the effectiveness of life style strategies to slow down these mechanisms, will be also considered.

Prof. Monica De la Fuente
Guest Editor

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