The immunology behind inflammaging-causes, sources, and mechanisms
Ines Sturmlechner1, Nathan K LeBrasseur2, Cornelia M Weyand3
1Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn; Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|June 20, 2026
Summary
Inflammaging, or chronic age-related inflammation, contributes to poor health and mortality. Centenarians manage its effects, offering insights into countering age-related inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Gerontology
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Inflammaging is a chronic inflammatory state in aging linked to adverse health outcomes.
- Its exact causes are unknown, but immune cell changes and senescent cells play roles.
- Inflammatory mediator levels in aging resemble mild viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms driving inflammaging.
- To explore how non-immune cells contribute to age-related inflammation.
- To discuss strategies for mitigating inflammaging.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on inflammaging.
- Analysis of molecular and cellular pathways involved in aging and inflammation.
- Examination of immune and non-immune cell contributions.
Main Results:
- Immune cell dysfunction, including heightened cytokine production and impaired waste clearance, drives inflammaging.
- Senescent cells and their secretome exacerbate the inflammatory environment.
- Centenarians neutralize inflammaging effects via feedback mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Inflammaging is a complex process involving immune and non-immune system dysfunction.
- Understanding these mechanisms reveals potential therapeutic targets.
- Strategies to counter age-related inflammation are crucial for healthy aging.
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