Aging and lung diseases: Unraveling mechanisms and therapeutic targets

As life expectancy increases globally, the prevalence of various age-related diseases among the elderly is rising. Advancing age is associated with both the incidence and mortality of a variety of respiratory diseases; however, the specific correlations and underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This review summarizes changes in lung physiology and structure, as well as the biology of immune system cells, in relation to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. It also offers a comprehensive discussion of the relationships between these lung diseases and aging, along with potential mechanistic insights. Finally, the review underscores that the association between aging and lung disease supports the development of personalized intervention strategies, with particular consideration of disease heterogeneity. Future research should prioritize the identification and validation of robust aging biomarkers and aging-related disease phenotypes.