Open AccessRecent developments and future perspectives in aging and macrophage immunometabolism
Author(s) -
Brandt D. Pence
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
aims molecular science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2372-028X
pISSN - 2372-0301
DOI - 10.3934/molsci.2021015
Subject(s) - immunosenescence , immune system , inflammation , reprogramming , immunology , macrophage , biology , gerontology , medicine , cell , in vitro , genetics
Aging is the strongest contributor to the development and severity of many chronic and infectious diseases, primarily through age-related increases in low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) and decreases in immune function (immunosenescence). Metabolic reprogramming in immune cells is a significant contributor to functional and phenotypic changes in these cells, but little is known about the direct effect of aging on immunometabolism. This review highlights several recent advances in this field, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction, NAD+ metabolism, and therapeutic reprogramming in aged monocytes and macrophages. Perspectives on opportunities for future research in this area are also provided. Targeting immunometabolism is a promising strategy for designing therapeutics for a wide variety of age-related diseases.