Decline in biological resilience as key manifestation of aging: Potential mechanisms and role in health and longevity

Mech Ageing Dev. 2021 Mar:194:111418. doi: 10.1016/j.mad.2020.111418. Epub 2020 Dec 16.

Abstract

Decline in biological resilience (ability to recover) is a key manifestation of aging that contributes to increase in vulnerability to death with age eventually limiting longevity even in people without major chronic diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of this decline is essential for developing efficient anti-aging and pro-longevity interventions. In this paper we discuss: a) mechanisms of the decline in resilience with age, and aging components that contribute to this decline, including depletion of body reserves, imperfect repair mechanisms, and slowdown of physiological processes and responses with age; b) anti-aging interventions that may improve resilience or attenuate its decline; c) biomarkers of resilience available in human and experimental studies; and d) genetic factors that could influence resilience. There are open questions about optimal anti-aging interventions that would oppose the decline in resilience along with extending longevity limits. However, the area develops quickly, and prospects are exciting.

Keywords: Aging; Anti-aging interventions; Biomarkers; Cell repair; Debris accumulation; Genetics of resilience; Longevity; Reserve depletion; Resilience; Robustness; Slowdown.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Functional Status*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Healthy Aging / genetics
  • Healthy Aging / metabolism
  • Healthy Aging / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Longevity* / genetics
  • Protein Interaction Maps
  • Recovery of Function
  • Regeneration* / genetics
  • Signal Transduction