J Leukoc Biol. 2025 Aug 5:qiaf117. doi: 10.1093/jleuko/qiaf117. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Immune function alters as we age, and is often accompanied by chronic, low-grade inflammation termed inflammageing. This leads cells to develop a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and release a range of pro-inflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes. In individuals with frailty, inflammaging and SASP are increased, further reducing immune function and making individuals more susceptible to serious outcomes from infection. In this review we focus on the role of neutrophils in healthy ageing, inflammageing and frailty. We summarise the key functions of neutrophils in an effective immune response to pathogens, as well as discuss the important role of neutrophils in tissue repair and wound healing. We also discuss the decline in neutrophil immune responses associated with biological ageing, in healthy older age and individuals with frailty. We summarise the key role of metabolism and the antioxidant response in inflammatory neutrophil activation and identify the potential of therapeutics directed at longevity, metabolism and cytokine signalling for the treatment of inflammageing.
PMID:40794606 | DOI:10.1093/jleuko/qiaf117