Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Processes in Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by the gradual decline in physiological functions, leading to increased vulnerability to various diseases. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and cellular processes underlying aging is critical for developing interventions that promote healthy lifespan and prevent age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and metabolic syndromes. At the molecular level, aging is associated with DNA damage accumulation, epigenetic alterations, telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired protein homeostasis. These changes disrupt cellular homeostasis, leading to altered signaling pathways, chronic inflammation, and senescence.

Cellular processes such as autophagy, apoptosis, and stem cell exhaustion play pivotal roles in determining tissue integrity and regenerative capacity during aging. Dysregulation of these processes contributes to the onset and progression of age-related pathologies. For example, defective autophagy can lead to protein aggregation in neurodegenerative diseases, while stem cell depletion impairs tissue repair and regeneration. Moreover, the interplay between cellular senescence and the immune system drives chronic inflammation, further exacerbating age-associated tissue damage.

These tools offer opportunities to identify novel molecular targets and therapeutic strategies to delay aging and mitigate age-related diseases. Investigating the cross-talk between molecular pathways and cellular processes will be crucial for translating basic research into clinical interventions that enhance health span.

Key Research Areas:

• Molecular pathways driving cellular senescence and apoptosis

• Role of DNA damage and epigenetic modifications in aging

• Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in age-related diseases

• Autophagy and proteostasis mechanisms in tissue homeostasis

• Stem cell exhaustion and impaired regenerative capacity

• Interactions between immune system dysregulation and chronic inflammation

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Article types

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

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, epigenetic alterations, age-related diseases

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