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Aging in chronic lung disease: Will anti-aging therapy be the key to the cure?
Weijie Wang1, Kai Zhou2, Leyuan Wang2
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center for Medical Function, China.
Abstract:
Chronic lung disease is the third leading cause of death globally, imposing huge burden of death, disability and healthcare costs. However, traditional pharmacotherapy has relatively limited effects in improving the cure rate and reducing the mortality of chronic lung disease. Thus, new treatments are urgently needed for the prevention and treatment of chronic lung disease. It is particularly noteworthy that, multiple aging-related phenotypes were involved in the occurrence and development of chronic lung disease, such as blocked proliferation, telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic alterations, altered nutrient perception, stem cell exhaustion, chronic inflammation, etc. Consequently, senescent cells induce a series of pathological changes in the lung, such as immune dysfunction, airway remodeling, oxidative stress and regenerative dysfunction, which is a critical issue that needs special attention in chronic lung diseases. Therefore, anti-aging interventions may bring new insights into the treatment of chronic lung diseases. In this review, we elaborate the involvement of aging in chronic lung disease and further discuss the application and prospects of anti-aging therapy.
Insights
Aging contributes to chronic lung disease development. Targeting aging processes, including cellular senescence, offers promising new therapeutic strategies for these prevalent respiratory conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Chronic lung disease is a leading global cause of mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenditure.
- Current pharmacotherapies demonstrate limited efficacy in improving cure rates and reducing mortality.
- Aging is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the intricate involvement of aging mechanisms in the development of chronic lung diseases.
- To explore the potential of anti-aging therapies as novel treatment strategies for chronic lung conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive review of existing literature on aging phenotypes and their impact on lung health.
- Analysis of cellular senescence and its pathological consequences in the lung microenvironment.
- Discussion of various aging-related hallmarks, including blocked proliferation, telomere attrition, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Main Results:
- Multiple aging-related phenotypes, such as stem cell exhaustion and chronic inflammation, are implicated in chronic lung disease.
- Senescent cells promote lung pathologies including immune dysfunction, airway remodeling, and impaired regeneration.
- These aging-associated changes highlight a critical link between aging and chronic lung disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Anti-aging interventions represent a promising frontier for the prevention and treatment of chronic lung diseases.
- Targeting aging pathways may offer novel therapeutic avenues beyond conventional treatments.
- Further research into anti-aging therapies could revolutionize the management of chronic lung conditions.
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