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Immunosenescence and human healthspan. Lessons from centenarians.
Juan-Manuel Anaya1, Ivan D Lozada-Martinez2, Yeny Acosta-Ampudia3
1Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|April 18, 2026
Summary
Immune aging (immunosenescence) isn't a uniform decline but a divergent process. Extreme longevity in centenarians shows adaptive immune remodeling, maintaining equilibrium and resilience for healthy aging.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Immunosenescence, characterized by inflammaging and T-cell exhaustion, increases age-related disease risk.
- Centenarian studies reveal divergent immune aging trajectories, suggesting adaptive remodeling rather than uniform decline.
- Extreme longevity is associated with maintained immune equilibrium and specific adaptive immune profiles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multidimensional remodeling of immunity during aging (immunosenescence).
- To highlight adaptive immune strategies observed in centenarians associated with healthy aging.
- To discuss challenges and future directions in understanding immune aging.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of emerging evidence on immunosenescence.
- Analysis of centenarian immune profiles and their characteristics.
- Discussion of factors influencing immune aging trajectories.
Main Results:
- Centenarian immune profiles show retained naive T cells, expanded cytotoxic T cell subsets, and regulated inflammation.
- Protective mechanisms include enhanced oxidative-stress resistance and epigenetic regulation.
- Extracellular vesicles play a role in T-cell modulation during aging.
Conclusions:
- Immunosenescence is a trajectory-dependent process, not a uniform decline.
- Balanced immune function, rather than just youthful markers, defines resilience and healthy aging.
- Further research with longitudinal multi-omic data is needed for biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
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