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Use of LysoTracker to Detect Programmed Cell Death in Embryos and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells
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Immune Aging as a Failure of Programmed Cell Death Coordination
Hyeong-Min Lee1, Eun-Ji Kim1, Anamul Hasan1
1BK21 Program, Department of Applied Life Science, Graduate School, Konkuk University, Chungju 27478, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 13, 2026
Summary
Aging disrupts programmed cell death, weakening beneficial apoptosis and promoting inflammatory cell death. This shift contributes to immune decline and chronic inflammation, suggesting new therapeutic targets for immune restoration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Aging significantly alters immune function, increasing infection susceptibility and impairing vaccine responses.
- Traditionally, immune aging was linked to cellular development and metabolic defects.
- Emerging research points to dysregulated programmed cell death as a key driver of immune aging and inflammaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of aging on programmed cell death pathways within the immune system.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving these age-related shifts in cell death.
- To explore strategies for immune restoration by modulating cell death.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current evidence on programmed cell death in aged immunity.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying altered cell death pathways.
- Discussion of potential therapeutic interventions targeting cell death decisions.
Main Results:
- Aging disrupts the balance between different programmed cell death pathways (apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis).
- Coordination among these death pathways is impaired in aged immune cells.
- Reduced apoptotic resolution and increased inflammatory cell death contribute to tissue damage and inflammaging.
Conclusions:
- Dysregulation of programmed cell death is a central mechanism in immune aging.
- Targeting cell death pathways offers potential strategies to restore immune function in the elderly.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for combating age-associated inflammatory diseases.
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