Chronic Inflammation in the Etiology of Disease Across the Life Span

Overview

Journal Nat Med

Specialties General Medicine
Molecular Biology

Date 2019 Dec 7

PMID 31806905

Citations 1637

Authors

David Furman

Judith Campisi

Eric Verdin

Pedro Carrera-Bastos

Sasha Targ

Claudio Franceschi

Luigi Ferrucci

Derek W Gilroy

Alessio Fasano

Gary W Miller

Andrew H Miller

Alberto Mantovani

Cornelia M Weyand

Nir Barzilai

Jorg J Goronzy

Thomas A Rando

Rita B Effros

Alejandro Lucia

Nicole Kleinstreuer

George M Slavich

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Although intermittent increases in inflammation are critical for survival during physical injury and infection, recent research has revealed that certain social, environmental and lifestyle factors can promote systemic chronic inflammation (SCI) that can, in turn, lead to several diseases that collectively represent the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders. In the present Perspective we describe the multi-level mechanisms underlying SCI and several risk factors that promote this health-damaging phenotype, including infections, physical inactivity, poor diet, environmental and industrial toxicants and psychological stress. Furthermore, we suggest potential strategies for advancing the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of SCI.

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