INFLAMM-AGING: A MECHANISM OF AGING THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SKIN INVOLVEMENT IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Abstract

Aging is associated with deterioration of the immune function. Two contributory mechanisms are inflamm-aging, which is a chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation, and immunosenescence, an impairment of adaptive immune function that may also contribute to the development of inflamm-aging. This age-related inflammatory event is associated with alteration to the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The effect of inflamm-aging on skin aging in healthy people is accepted; however, its effect on normal skin aging and/or skin characteristics in systemic sclerosis is unknown. The hypothesis presented herein suggests that inflamm-aging may contribute to the evolution of the skin phases in systemic sclerosis, which progress from edematous, fibrotic, and indurative phases to the atrophic phase.