title: Neuro-immune dysfunction during brain aging: new insights in microglial cell regulation.
abstract: Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are at the center of communication between the central nervous system and immune system. While these brain-immune interactions are balanced in healthy adulthood, the ability to maintain homeostasis during aging is impaired. Microglia develop a loss of integrated regulatory networks including aberrant signaling from other brain cells, immune sensors, and epigenetic modifiers. The low-grade chronic neuroinflammation associated with this dysfunctional activity likely contributes to cognitive deficits and susceptibility to age-related pathologies. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for neuro-immune dysregulation with age is crucial for providing targeted therapeutic strategies to support brain repair and healthy aging.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Matt
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States; Integrative Immunology and Behavior Program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States. Electronic address: rwjohn@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Rodney W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology; D057890:Epigenomics; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology*