Role of cytokines and reactive oxygen species in brain aging

• Published in: Mechanisms of ageing and development Vol. 214; p. 111855
• Main Authors: MohanKumar, Sheba M.J., Murugan, Abarna, Palaniyappan, Arunkumar, MohanKumar, Puliyur S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-09-2023
• Subjects: Brain; Cytokines; Depression; Humans; Immunosenescence; Inflammaging; Inflammation; Neurodegeneration; Neurotransmitters; Reactive Oxygen Species; Reactive oxygen species; Neurotransmitters; Cytokines; Neurodegeneration; Inflammaging; Immunosenescence; Depression
• ISSN: 0047-6374; 1872-6216; 1872-6216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111855

Aging is a complex process that produces profound effects on the brain. Although a number of external factors can promote the initiation and progression of brain aging, peripheral and central changes in the immune cells with time, also play an important role. Immunosenescence, which is an age-associated decline in immune function and Inflammaging, a low-grade inflammatory state in the aging brain contribute to an elevation in cytokine and reactive oxygen species production. In this review, we focus on the pro-inflammatory state that is established in the brain as a consequence of these two phenomena and the resulting detrimental changes in brain structure, function and repair that lead to a decline in central and neuroendocrine function.
•Aging is a complicated biological process that is induced by changes in the immune system (immunosenescence).•Immunosenescence causes inflammaging by promoting the establishment of a pro-inflammatory state.•Consequently, there is an increase in ROS generation which further triggers cytokine production leading to a vicious cycle.•The resultant changes in proteins, lipids and DNA compromise the brain’s capacity for regeneration and repair.