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. 2019 Aug:28:38-43.
doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.012. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Stress and Immunological Aging

Rebecca G Reed  1
Affiliations

Stress and Immunological Aging

Rebecca G Reed. Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Immunological aging, which encompasses age-associated declines in the immune system (immunosenescence) and increases in inflammation (inflammaging), is associated with morbidity and mortality. A growing body of research suggests stress is one factor that may accelerate immunological aging. This article provides a brief overview of immunological aging, describes key biological pathways acting at multiple lifespan stages linking stress and immunological aging, and reviews recent innovative work characterizing associations between stress in several domains and immunological aging, as well as potential protective and risk factors. Important directions for future research include careful characterizations of the complexities of stress and rigorous measurement of immunological aging processes. Advancing knowledge of stress resilience and healthy immune aging may ultimately slow disease onset and extend healthspan.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement: Nothing declared.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual model depicting the focus of this review (particularly the associations shown in black arrows). Stress can influence immunological aging (and ultimately health outcomes) via biological mediators that may act at various lifespan stages, but several protective factors may moderate these associations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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