Topic Editors

1. Department of Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
2. Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
3. Cellular Physiology and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
4. Center for Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, CABIMER (Junta de Andalucía-CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla-Universidad Pablo de Olavide), Calle Américo Vespucio, 24, 41092 Sevilla, Spain

Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging

Abstract submission deadline
30 April 2024
Manuscript submission deadline
30 June 2024
Viewed by
27431

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Several factors contribute to the aging process. These factors include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient-sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion and altered intercellular communication. Together, these are referred to as “the Hallmarks of Aging”. A characteristic feature of altered intercellular communication is inflammaging or age-related inflammation. Dysregulation of the innate and/or adaptive immune response contributes to inflammaging, which is believed to be a predecessor to the development of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, age-related macular degeneration, obesity, type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, among others. We invite all scientists working on the immunology of age-related conditions or diseases to participate in this Topic. Original research articles, reviews, or shorter perspective articles on all aspects related to the immunology of aging and age-related processes are welcome. Articles with insights from a cell and molecular biological perspective are especially welcome. Relevant topics include but are not limited to: inflammaging and oxidative stress, age-related cardiovascular diseases, the role of extracellular vesicle biology in inflammaging, inflammasome regulation in aging and age-related diseases, inflammation and neurodegeneration, inflammation and joint degeneration, inflammaging and the gut microbiome, and inflammaging and cancer.

Dr. Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
Dr. Alejandro Martín-Montalvo
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • inflammaging
  • innate immunity
  • adaptive immunity
  • inflammasome
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • aging
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • extracellular vesicles
  • stroke
  • macular degeneration
  • glaucoma
  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • atherosclerosis

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Cells
cells
6.0 9.0 2012 16.6 Days CHF 2700 Submit
Geriatrics
geriatrics
2.3 2.7 2016 22.4 Days CHF 1800 Submit
Immuno
immuno
- - 2021 20.7 Days CHF 1000 Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ijms
5.6 7.8 2000 16.3 Days CHF 2900 Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine
jcm
3.9 5.4 2012 17.9 Days CHF 2600 Submit

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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10 pages, 978 KiB  
Brief Report
Changes in Interleukin-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, and Interleukin-10 Cytokines in Older People with Periodontitis
by Ines Augustina Sumbayak, Sri Lelyati C. Masulili, Fatimah Maria Tadjoedin, Benso Sulijaya, Arrum Mutiara, Diana Khoirowati, Yuniarti Soeroso and Boy M. Bachtiar
Geriatrics 2023, 8(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics8040079 - 10 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1294
Abstract
Aging can change the ability to respond to various stimuli and physical conditions. A decreased immune response is a form of deterioration of function in older people, who then become more vulnerable when exposed to pathogens. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the [...] Read more.
Aging can change the ability to respond to various stimuli and physical conditions. A decreased immune response is a form of deterioration of function in older people, who then become more vulnerable when exposed to pathogens. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues that often occurs in older people. This study aimed to clinically analyze the periodontal status and cytokine levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10 in older people and adults with periodontitis. This clinical study examined 20 persons in a group of older people and 20 persons in a group of adults. The clinical measurements of periodontal status included the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), Plaque Index (PlI), and Papilla Bleeding Index (PBI). The cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were quantified by using ELISA kits. The OHI-S, PlI, and PBI were found to be higher in the older group. The mean values of cytokines were higher in the older group than in adults, although no statistically significant differences were found. A strong correlation was found between the clinical measurements and the cytokine levels in the GCF. There was an increasing tendency of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the older group compared to the adult group. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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13 pages, 1866 KiB  
Article
Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Profile in the Brain of Young and Aged Mice
by Brianna Cyr and Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari
Cells 2023, 12(10), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12101372 - 12 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1710
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide with no cures identified. Thus, there is a critical need for preventative measures and treatments as the number of patients is expected to increase. Many neurodegenerative diseases have sex-biased prevalence, indicating a need to [...] Read more.
Neurodegenerative diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide with no cures identified. Thus, there is a critical need for preventative measures and treatments as the number of patients is expected to increase. Many neurodegenerative diseases have sex-biased prevalence, indicating a need to examine sex differences when investigating prevention and treatment strategies. Inflammation is a key contributor to many neurodegenerative diseases and is a promising target for prevention since inflammation increases with age, which is known as inflammaging. Here, we analyzed the protein expression levels of cytokines, chemokines, and inflammasome signaling proteins in the cortex of young and aged male and female mice. Our results show an increase in caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and ASC specks in females compared to males. Additionally, there was an increase in IL-1α, VEGF-A, CCL3, CXCL1, CCL4, CCL17, and CCL22 in aging females and an increase in IL-8, IL-17a, IL-7, LT-α, and CCL22 in aging males. IL-12/IL-23p40, CCL13, and IL-10 were increased in females compared to males but not with age. These results indicate that there are sex differences in cortical inflammaging and provide potential targets to attenuate inflammation to prevent the development of neurodegenerative disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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18 pages, 1189 KiB  
Review
Alzheimer’s Disease: From Immune Homeostasis to Neuroinflammatory Condition
by Lucia Princiotta Cariddi, Marco Mauri, Marco Cosentino, Maurizio Versino and Franca Marino
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(21), 13008; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232113008 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2857
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause in the world of progressive cognitive decline. Although many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been proposed, in recent years, neuroinflammation has been hypothesized to be an important contributing factor of Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis. Neuroinflammation can [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause in the world of progressive cognitive decline. Although many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been proposed, in recent years, neuroinflammation has been hypothesized to be an important contributing factor of Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis. Neuroinflammation can occur through the combined action of the Central Nervous System resident immune cells and adaptive peripheral immune system. In the past years, immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases have focused wrongly on targeting protein aggregates Aβ plaques and NFT treatment. The role of both innate and adaptive immune cells has not been fully clarified, but several data suggest that immune system dysregulation plays a key role in neuroinflammation. Recent studies have focused especially on the role of the adaptive immune system and have shown that inflammatory markers are characterized by increased CD4+ Teff cells’ activities and reduced circulating CD4+ Treg cells. In this review, we discuss the key role of both innate and adaptive immune systems in the degeneration and regeneration mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, with a focus on how the crosstalk between these two systems is able to sustain brain homeostasis or shift it to a neurodegenerative condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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14 pages, 3499 KiB  
Article
AMPK Amplifies IL2–STAT5 Signaling to Maintain Stability of Regulatory T Cells in Aged Mice
by Ram Hari Pokhrel, Ben Kang, Maheshwor Timilshina and Jae-Hoon Chang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(20), 12384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms232012384 - 16 Oct 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1941
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important regulator of the aging process, is expressed in various immune cells. However, its role in regulatory T cell (Treg) stability during aging is poorly understood. Here, we addressed the role of AMPK in Treg function and stability [...] Read more.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important regulator of the aging process, is expressed in various immune cells. However, its role in regulatory T cell (Treg) stability during aging is poorly understood. Here, we addressed the role of AMPK in Treg function and stability during aging by generating Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice. In this study, we found that AMPKα1-deficient Tregs failed to control inflammation as effectively as normal Tregs did during aging. AMPK knockout from Tregs reduces STAT5 phosphorylation in response to interleukin (IL)-2 stimulation, thereby destabilizing Tregs by decreasing CD25 expression. Thus, our study addressed the role of AMPK in Tregs in sensing IL-2 signaling to amplify STAT5 phosphorylation, which, in turn, supports Treg stability by maintaining CD25 expression and controlling inflamm-aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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10 pages, 1718 KiB  
Article
Senescence-Independent Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Senolytic Drugs Dasatinib, Navitoclax, and Venetoclax in Zebrafish Models of Chronic Inflammation
by David Hernández-Silva, Joaquín Cantón-Sandoval, Francisco Juan Martínez-Navarro, Horacio Pérez-Sánchez, Sofia de Oliveira, Victoriano Mulero, Francisca Alcaraz-Pérez and María Luisa Cayuela
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(18), 10468; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms231810468 - 09 Sep 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3461
Abstract
Telomere shortening is the main molecular mechanism of aging, but not the only one. The adaptive immune system also ages, and older organisms tend to develop a chronic pro-inflammatory status with low-grade inflammation characterized by chronic activation of the innate immune system, called [...] Read more.
Telomere shortening is the main molecular mechanism of aging, but not the only one. The adaptive immune system also ages, and older organisms tend to develop a chronic pro-inflammatory status with low-grade inflammation characterized by chronic activation of the innate immune system, called inflammaging. One of the main stimuli that fuels inflammaging is a high nutrient intake, triggering a metabolic inflammation process called metainflammation. In this study, we report the anti-inflammatory activity of several senolytic drugs in the context of chronic inflammation, by using two different zebrafish models: (i) a chronic skin inflammation model with a hypomorphic mutation in spint1a, the gene encoding the serine protease inhibitor, kunitz-type, 1a (also known as hai1a) and (ii) a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NAFLD/NASH) model with inflammation induced by a high-fat diet. Our results show that, although these models do not manifest premature aging, the senolytic drugs dasatinib, navitoclax, and venetoclax have an anti-inflammatory effect that results in the amelioration of chronic inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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12 pages, 1987 KiB  
Article
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography-Based Quantitative Bone Marrow Imaging in Non-Hematooncological Subjects: Associations with Age, Gender and Other Variables
by Florian Hagen, Jan Fritz, Antonia Mair, Marius Horger and Malte N. Bongers
J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11(14), 4094; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11144094 - 14 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1732
Abstract
Background: Our aim is to assess the utility and associations of quantitative bone marrow attenuation (BMA) values measured on clinical dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) exams in non-hematooncologic subjects with skeletal regions, patient age, gender, and other clinical variables. Methods: Our local ethics committee [...] Read more.
Background: Our aim is to assess the utility and associations of quantitative bone marrow attenuation (BMA) values measured on clinical dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) exams in non-hematooncologic subjects with skeletal regions, patient age, gender, and other clinical variables. Methods: Our local ethics committee approved this retrospective image data analysis. Between July 2019 and July 2021, 332 eligible patients (mean age, 64 ± 18 years; female, 135) were identified. Inclusion criteria were the availability of a standardized abdominopelvic DECT data set acquired on the same scanner with identical protocol. Eleven regions-of-interest were placed in the T11-L5 vertebral bodies, dorsal iliac crests, and femur necks. Patient age, gender, weight, clinical, habitual variables, inflammation markers, and anemia were documented in all cases. Results: Multi-regression analyses (all, p < 0.05) identified age as the strongest predictor of lumbar BMA (standardized coefficient: β = −0.74), followed by CRP (β = 0.11), LDH (β = 0.11), and gender (β = −0.10). In the lower thoracic spine, age was the strongest predictor (β = −0.58) of BMA, followed by gender (β = −0.09) and LDH (β = 0.12). In femoral bones, age was negatively predictive of BMA (β = −0.12), whereas LDH and anemia were positively predictive (β = 0.16 both). Heart insufficiency significantly decreased (β = 0.12, p = 0.034) a BMA value gradient from higher to lower HU values along the vertebrae T11 and L5, whereas age significantly increased this gradient (β = −0.2, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: DECT-based BMA measurements can be obtained from clinical CT exams. BMA values are negatively associated with patient age and influenced by gender, anemia, and inflammatory markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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17 pages, 5757 KiB  
Article
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Canine Adipose Tissue Ameliorates Inflammation, Skin Barrier Function and Pruritus by Reducing JAK/STAT Signaling in Atopic Dermatitis
by Sung Youl Kim, Tae Hong Yoon, Jungtae Na, Seong Joon Yi, Yunseok Jin, Minji Kim, Tae-Ho Oh and Tae-Wook Chung
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(9), 4868; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23094868 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3270
Abstract
Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder resulting from imbalance between T lymphocytes. Current canine AD treatments use immunomodulatory drugs, but some of the dogs have limitations that do not respond to standard treatment, or relapse after a period [...] Read more.
Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder resulting from imbalance between T lymphocytes. Current canine AD treatments use immunomodulatory drugs, but some of the dogs have limitations that do not respond to standard treatment, or relapse after a period of time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells derived from canine adipose tissue (cASCs) and cASCs-derived extracellular vesicles (cASC-EVs) on AD. First, we isolated and characterized cASCs and cASCs-EVs to use for the improvement of canine atopic dermatitis. Here, we investigated the effect of cASCs or cASC-EVs on DNCB-induced AD in mice, before using for canine AD. Interestingly, we found that cASCs and cASC-EVs improved AD-like dermatitis, and markedly decreased levels of serum IgE, (49.6%, p = 0.002 and 32.1%, p = 0.016 respectively) epidermal inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-4 (32%, p = 0.197 and 44%, p = 0.094 respectively), IL-13 (47.4%, p = 0.163, and 50.0%, p = 0.039 respectively), IL-31 (64.3%, p = 0.030 and 76.2%, p = 0.016 respectively), RANTES (66.7%, p = 0.002 and 55.6%, p = 0.007) and TARC (64%, p = 0.016 and 86%, p = 0.010 respectively). In addition, cASCs or cASC-EVs promoted skin barrier repair by restoring transepidermal water loss, enhancing stratum corneum hydration and upregulating the expression levels of epidermal differentiation proteins. Moreover, cASCs or cASC-EVs reduced IL-31/TRPA1-mediated pruritus and activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of cASCs or cASC-EVs for the treatment of chronic inflammation and damaged skin barrier in AD or canine AD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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17 pages, 1341 KiB  
Review
Senescence-Associated Cell Transition and Interaction (SACTAI): A Proposed Mechanism for Tissue Aging, Repair, and Degeneration
by Yajun Liu, Jonah Schwam and Qian Chen
Cells 2022, 11(7), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11071089 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3888
Abstract
Aging is a broad process that occurs as a time-dependent functional decline and tissue degeneration in living organisms. On a smaller scale, aging also exists within organs, tissues, and cells. As the smallest functional unit in living organisms, cells “age” by reaching senescence [...] Read more.
Aging is a broad process that occurs as a time-dependent functional decline and tissue degeneration in living organisms. On a smaller scale, aging also exists within organs, tissues, and cells. As the smallest functional unit in living organisms, cells “age” by reaching senescence where proliferation stops. Such cellular senescence is achieved through replicative stress, telomere erosion and stem cell exhaustion. It has been shown that cellular senescence is key to tissue degradation and cell death in aging-related diseases (ARD). However, senescent cells constitute only a small percentage of total cells in the body, and they are resistant to death during aging. This suggests that ARD may involve interaction of senescent cells with non-senescent cells, resulting in senescence-triggered death of non-senescent somatic cells and tissue degeneration in aging organs. Here, based on recent research evidence from our laboratory and others, we propose a mechanism—Senescence-Associated Cell Transition and Interaction (SACTAI)—to explain how cell heterogeneity arises during aging and how the interaction between somatic cells and senescent cells, some of which are derived from aging somatic cells, results in cell death and tissue degeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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15 pages, 531 KiB  
Review
Cardiovascular Inflammaging: Mechanisms and Translational Aspects
by Maria Luisa Barcena, Muhammad Aslam, Sofya Pozdniakova, Kristina Norman and Yury Ladilov
Cells 2022, 11(6), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11061010 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4751
Abstract
Aging is one of the major non-reversible risk factors for several chronic diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and it is a key cause of multimorbidity, disability, and frailty (decreased physical activity, fatigue, and weight loss). The underlying [...] Read more.
Aging is one of the major non-reversible risk factors for several chronic diseases, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and it is a key cause of multimorbidity, disability, and frailty (decreased physical activity, fatigue, and weight loss). The underlying cellular mechanisms are complex and consist of multifactorial processes, such as telomere shortening, chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, accumulation of senescent cells, and reduced autophagy. In this review, we focused on the molecular mechanisms and translational aspects of cardiovascular aging-related inflammation, i.e., inflammaging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Inflammaging: The Immunology of Aging)
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