Inflammaging: Chronic Inflammation’s Impact on Age-Related Diseases

As the global population ages, age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, neurodegeneration, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers are becoming increasingly prevalent. A growing body of evidence points to “inflammaging”—a state of persistent, low-grade inflammation associated with aging—as a key contributor to this rise in chronic conditions. Despite its prevalence, the complex mechanisms linking inflammaging to the initiation and progression of age-related diseases remain incompletely understood and represent a compelling area for further investigation.

This Research Topic aims to comprehensively investigate the biological processes and molecular pathways underlying inflammaging, and to assess how chronic, systemic inflammation acts as a catalyst for the onset and progression of age-related pathologies. We seek to explore intricate signaling networks such as NF-κB and JAK-STAT pathways, age-related changes in both innate and adaptive immune system function, alterations in cytokine and chemokine profiles, the accumulation of senescent cells, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The project further aims to analyze the interaction between genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, epigenetic modifications, and lifestyle factors that collectively modulate the inflammaging process. An additional focus will be on evaluating a variety of interventions—including lifestyle modifications, pharmacological agents, and dietary approaches—that might reduce systemic inflammation and mitigate its detrimental impacts on health during aging.

A better understanding of inflammaging holds the potential to offer novel insights for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, thereby enabling healthcare professionals to more effectively prevent, diagnose, and manage the diseases that disproportionately affect elderly populations. Ultimately, knowledge gained in this area may inform tailored interventions that improve quality of life, promote healthy aging, and reduce the healthcare and socioeconomic burdens associated with chronic age-related diseases.

We welcome article submissions on topics including, but not limited to:

1. Molecular and cellular mechanisms driving inflammaging
2. The role of the immune system in chronic inflammation with aging
3. Linkages between inflammaging and specific age-related diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer)
4. Biomarkers for detecting and monitoring inflammaging
5. The influence of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors on inflammaging
6. Interventions and therapies targeting inflammaging (e.g., diet, exercise, pharmacology, nutraceuticals)
7. The gut microbiome and its relationship to systemic inflammation and aging
8. The impact of lifestyle factors (e.g., sleep, stress, physical activity) on inflammaging

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: Inflammaging, Chronic Inflammation, Age-Related Diseases, Immunosenescence, Cellular Senescence

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.