Inflammaging

Definition

Inflammaging refers to the chronic, low-grade inflammatory state that tends to increase with age, even in the absence of acute infection. It describes persistent background inflammatory signaling rather than the short, high-intensity inflammation seen during an active injury or illness. [1] [2]

Why It Matters in Ageing Research

Inflammaging matters because persistent inflammatory signaling is linked to many age-related problems, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, frailty, and neurodegenerative processes. It is often treated as a convergence point where multiple ageing mechanisms can contribute to tissue stress and late-life disease risk. [3] [4] [5]

Common Confusion

• Inflammaging is not the same as acute inflammation from injury or infection.
• It does not mean all inflammation is harmful; immune responses are still necessary for defense and repair.
• Inflammaging is a broad pattern, not a single biomarker or one disease by itself.

Related Reading

• Cellular Senescence
• Geroscience
• Sarcopenia

References

1. Franceschi, C., et al. (2000). Inflamm-aging: An evolutionary perspective on immunosenescence. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10911963/
2. Franceschi, C., et al. (2017). Inflammaging and human longevity in the omics era. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28038993/
3. Minciullo, P. L., et al. (2016). An update on inflamm-aging: Mechanisms, prevention, and treatment. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2016/8426874
4. Xia, X., et al. (2025). Inflammaging: Triggers, molecular mechanisms, and consequences. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1704203/full
5. Franceschi, C., et al. (2018). Inflammaging: A new immune–metabolic viewpoint for age-related diseases. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0059-4