Immunosenescence: Mechanisms of Immune Decline in Aging

The field of aging and immunology delves into understanding how the immune system undergoes changes as individuals grow older. Aging is accompanied by a progressive decline in immune function, a phenomenon termed immunosenescence, which leads to an increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, and reduced vaccine efficacy. Currently, researchers are investigating the underlying mechanisms responsible for the deterioration of immune function with age. Major areas of focus include not only systemic immune changes such as thymic involution, the shift from naïve to memory T cell populations, and the impact of chronic inflammation on immune responses, but also the tissue-specific aspects of immunosenescence, which remain less explored. While significant strides have been made in identifying age-associated changes within the immune system, gaps still exist in fully elucidating the complex interplay of cells, molecules, and external factors—particularly at the tissue level—that drive immunosenescence.

Additionally, the advancement of OMICs technologies—such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—offers powerful tools to comprehensively profile cellular and molecular changes during immune system aging. Integrating OMICs approaches can provide deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms of immunosenescence and help uncover novel therapeutic targets.

This Research Topic aims to explore the fundamental mechanisms underlying immune decline with age, integrate current knowledge on immune aging—including immunosenescence at both systemic and tissue-specific levels—and identify potential interventions to mitigate its consequences. By addressing specific questions such as how cellular and molecular changes contribute to compromised immunity in the elderly, the research will evaluate potential therapeutic targets and interventions. Researchers are encouraged to unveil insights into the interplay between systemic aging processes, tissue-resident immune changes, and those specific to the immune system, with the aim of improving overall health outcomes for the aging population.

To gather further insights into immunosenescence, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

1.Molecular and cellular changes in adaptive and innate immunity with age.
2. Immunosenescence in specific tissues and tissue microenvironments.
3. The application of OMICs technologies to investigate the mechanisms underlying immune aging.
4. The role of thymic involution in decreased T-cell output.
5. Chronic inflammation and its impact on age-related immune decline.
6. The influence of environmental and lifestyle factors on immunosenescence.
7. Intervention strategies to enhance immune function in older adults.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Chronic inflammation, Immunosenescence, Thymic involution, Immune rejuvenation, Adaptive immunity

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.