Activation of immunosuppressive network in the aging process

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gerontology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Chronic low-grade inflammation, termed inflammaging, is a hallmark of aging.
• Inflammaging is linked to immune deficiency (immunosenescence), potentially due to increased immunosuppressive cells rather than cellular senescence.
• Immune cells exhibit plasticity, with regulatory phenotypes playing a crucial role in immune homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties of regulatory immune cell phenotypes.
• To examine evidence for the activation of the immunosuppressive network during aging.
• To understand the role of inflammaging and immunosenescence in the aging process.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and evidence.
• Analysis of the plasticity and function of various regulatory immune cell subtypes.
• Focus on myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), and regulatory macrophages (Mregs).

Main Results:

• The aging process is associated with the activation of an immunosuppressive network.
• Increased function of MDSCs, Tregs, and Mregs is observed with aging.
• This network prevents excessive inflammation but can harm immune system and tissue homeostasis.

Conclusions:

• Immunosenescence may result from increased activity of immunosuppressive cells, not just cellular senescence.
• The aging immune system shows heightened activity of regulatory immune cells, contributing to immune dysfunction.
• Understanding this immunosuppressive network is crucial for addressing age-related immune decline.