Inflammation is a key feature of aging and is closely associated with multiple age-related diseases, such as neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancer, metabolic disorders, periodontitis, and macular degeneration. This heightened inflammatory response, called inflamm-aging, contributes to the molecular changes associated with aging and the pathogenesis of these age-related diseases.

Inflammation is orchestrated by the activity of different types of immune cells, such as lymphocytes, dendritic cells, monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, and mast cells. Homeostasis between inflammation and suppression is balanced by their robust production of a broad array of inflammatory mediators (such as IL-6, TNF-α, ROS) and cell-mediated cytotoxicity with numerous anti-inflammatory cytokines (like IL-10 and TGF-β). These immune cells and pro-/anti-inflammatory factors play a vital role in the process of inflammation and together constitute a complex regulatory network. In particular, differentiation of regulatory T cells and macrophage polarization may play critical roles in disease pathogenesis. Therefore, further understanding of the mechanisms that shape the immune response is warranted to discover novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of these age-related diseases.

This Special Issue aims to discuss the inflammatory response and its role in and regulation of the aging process and pathogenesis of age-related diseases. We welcome original articles and review articles focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of inflamm-aging, as well as novel approaches for potential clinical applications in this field.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Innate immune cells in inflamm-aging and age-related diseases
• Th1/Th2/Th17/Treg responses and cytokines in inflamm-aging and age-related diseases
• Crosstalk among immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines, and tissue-specific interactions in aging and age-related diseases
• Regulation of inflamm-aging by microbiota interactions and dysbiosis in age-related diseases
• Potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers related to inflammation in age-related diseases
• Novel findings of molecular regulation in the inflammatory response of age-related diseases
• Novel approaches for anti-inflammation in age-related diseases