Is amyloid beta peptide a driver of inflammaging?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Inflammaging, chronic inflammation during aging, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
• Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides are implicated in Alzheimer's disease neuroinflammation, but their role in general brain aging is less understood.
• Aβ exhibits dual functions: neuroprotection and promotion of inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the beneficial effects of Aβ, including its antioxidant and antipathogenic properties.
• To synthesize knowledge on molecular mechanisms of Aβ-associated inflammaging across brain cell types.
• To examine strategies for counteracting detrimental Aβ effects and enhancing clearance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current knowledge on Aβ and inflammaging.
• Analysis structured by brain cell types (microglia, astrocytes, etc.).
• Examination of Aβ clearance mechanisms (blood-brain barrier, glymphatic system) and therapeutic interventions.

Main Results:

• Aβ has beneficial roles, acting as an antioxidant and antipathogen.
• Aβ drives inflammaging through complex molecular mechanisms involving various brain cells.
• Inefficient Aβ clearance contributes to neuroinflammation in aging.

Conclusions:

• Understanding Aβ-driven inflammaging provides therapeutic targets for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
• Targeting Aβ-associated inflammaging reframes Aβ's role beyond a mere pathological marker.
• Early intervention strategies can leverage Aβ's context-dependent inflammatory role.