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Aging: the wound that never starts healing

Author

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  • Mikolaj Ogrodnik

    (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Traumatology. The Research Center in cooperation with AUVA
    Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration)

Abstract

Aging is a complex biological process leading to functional decline and disease susceptibility. This article proposes that chronic activation of tissue damage response mechanisms drives aging, with aged organs exhibiting features similar to those seen after acute injury, such as histolysis, inflammation, immune cell infiltration, accumulation of lipid droplets, and induction of cellular senescence. The overlap between injury and aging phenotypes is supported by evidence that interventions slowing aging often impair healing, and vice versa. This perspective offers a unifying framework to understand aging and suggests new directions for treating age-related diseases, cancer, and the aging process.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikolaj Ogrodnik, 2025. "Aging: the wound that never starts healing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-64462-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64462-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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