Conference paper

IMMUNOSENESCENCE, INFLAMMAGING AND RESILIENCE: AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE OF ADAPTATION IN THE LIGHT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Marko Banić ; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia ; University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Sanja Pleško ; Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia ; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Urek ; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Žarko Babić ; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Duško Kardum ; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia, University of Osijek, School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia

Abstract

The evolution of immunology enabled the study of role of innate and adaptive immunity in systems biology network of
immunosenescence and inflammaging. Due to global reduction in birth rates and reduced mortality, in year 2025 there will be about
1.2 billion of people over age of sixty, worldwide. The notion that the real age is not chronological, but the biological one led to the
concept of "bioage", defining the biologic reactivity and resilience, including the immune competence of an individual. A competent
immune network, systemic and mucosal is intrinsic to resilience and homeostasis of the human holobiont as the unit of evolution. In
elderly, the immunosenescence could be associated with higher levels of proinflammatory mediators (such as IL-6), frialty and
mortality. Proi-inflammatory state in elderly is denoted as inflammaging, characterized with low-grade (sterile) inflammation, as a
physiologic response to life-long antigenic stimuli. When under control, inflammaging could be regarded as an efficient defense
mechanism, oposed and regulated by anti-inflammatory pathways and molecules. Immunosensecence. The emerging concepts of
"individual immunobiography" and "trained immunity" speak in favour that the immunological experience during the life would
shape the ability of each individual to respond to various stimuli, strongly influencing the elements of innate and adaptive
immunity, including macrophages and innate lymphoid cells. Older age is one of the main risk factors for the severe clinical
picture and adverse outcome of COVID-19 infection, due to immunosenscence and chronic low-grade inflammation
(inflammaging), both characterizing the immune reactioin in elderly. The senescent immune system, along with the advanc ed
process of inflammaging is prone to react with uncontrolled activation of innate immune response that leads to cytokine release
syndrome, tissue damage and adverse outcome of infection. Further research is aimed to nutritional and pharmacologic
(immunomodulatory) interventions to influence the process of bioaging and immunosenscence, and to modulate the reaction of
elderly to infection, including the COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19

Hrčak ID:

271688

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/271688

Publication date:

19.10.2021.

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