Research
Mixed
Dysregulation of immune system genes, specifically the upregulation of inflammation-associated genes (inflammaging), is a conserved transcriptional hallmark of cellular ageing.
Aging is associated with a consistent upregulation of immune and inflammation-related genes. This 'inflammaging' is linked to senescent cells and immune dysfunction. Interventions like metformin can reduce this inflammation, suggesting that managing chronic low-grade inflammation is relevant to healthspan.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In summary, there is substantial evidence supporting altered expression of immune-related genes as a transcriptional hallmark of cellular ageing. It is likely that these changes in gene expression are directly related to both increased inflammation and the general immune dysfunction that has been consistently observed during the ageing process.
Why this rating
Meta-analyses across human blood, brain, skin, and mouse tissues support this.
Source
Gene expression hallmarks of cellular ageing
Stephen Frenk et al. · Biogerontology · 2018
DOI 10.1007/s10522-018-9750-z
narrative_reviewCited 198×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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