Research progress of immune cell senescence and anti-senescence strategy with exercise

Abstract

Aging is a process of progressive functional deterioration at the cellular and organism level, characterized by decreased efficiency of DNA repair pathways, loss of genomic integrity, heterochromatin loss, altered metabolic signaling, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and activation of senescence pathways, which can cause joint stiffness, skin wrinkles, subcutaneous calcification, weakened bone structure and vision loss. At present, the aging of the global population is becoming increasingly serious, resulting in a great economic and social burden on human beings. Specifically, with the progression of aging, the senescence of immune system, particular the immune cells senescence, is undoubtedly occurred. Unfortunately, most drugs used in experimental animal models to test their efficacy on the elderly have proved little beneficial effects on the immune system of the elderly. Therefore, it is important to come up with new effective treatment to cope with aging problem. Exercise can generally be classified as dynamic or static, with multiple benefits for the aging body. This review discussed the research progress of immune cell senescence and the potential of exercise as an anti-senescence therapy, aiming to provide a new immune view for delaying and reducing the current situation of aging in the future through the immune regulation.