MacrophAging: a cellular and molecular review

Aging is associated with the deterioration of several physiological functions, which leads to aged-related pathologies and, ultimately, to death. The immune system is affected by aging, causing an increased susceptibility to infections and mortality, as well as a major incidence of immune diseases and cancer in the elderly. Because macrophages are an essential component of both innate and adaptive immunity, altered function of these phagocytic cells with aging may play a key role in immunosenescence. Here we summarize data about the effects of aging on macrophages and we discuss the molecular events that could be involved in this process.