Targeting Age-Associated Immune Senescence via Nanoparticle-Based Metabolic Reprogramming.

Abstract

Being able to "age" up to 80-100 years is a triumphant hallmark of human evolution. Unfortunately, human aging in the modern era has become synonymous with poor health. Thus, strategies to promote healthy aging are urgently needed to ensure a sustainable future for humanity. Modern-day evidence clearly shows that the immune system is one of the key mechanisms that govern aging. Unfortunately, immunological competence becomes senescent with age. This age-associated immune senescence represents a major therapeutic target to address age-related health issues. Recent advances in the field of "immunometabolomics" reveal that metabolic pathways play a central role in age-associated immune senescence. Thus, metabolism reprogramming innovations targeting immune senescence are key to reinstating desired immune competence in aged hosts. The rapid expansion of nanoparticle science promises to accelerate therapeutic metabolic reprogramming strategies and represents a new frontier for targeting immune senescence. In this perspective, we discuss opportunities for nanoparticle-based systems designed to rejuvenate immunity and promote healthy aging.