# The main mechanism of aging in the body has been revealed

Scientists from the United States have discovered that with age, macrophages — immune system cells that clear the body of cellular "debris" — stop effectively destroying spent neutrophils. Their accumulation causes chronic inflammation, which is considered one of the main drivers of aging. The results of the study were published in the journal Science.

The researchers focused on the interaction between macrophages — cells responsible for "cleaning up" cellular debris — and neutrophils, which are the first to respond to infections and inflammation. In a young organism, macrophages quickly engulf spent neutrophils after they have fulfilled their function. However, with age, this process becomes less efficient.

Experiments showed that aging neutrophils begin to produce elevated levels of the protein CD47, which serves as a kind of "don't eat me" signal. Because of this, macrophages stop destroying them in a timely manner, and the accumulated cells continue to sustain inflammation associated with tissue aging.

When the scientists blocked the action of CD47 in elderly mice, macrophages once again began to effectively remove old neutrophils. This led to a reduction in the level of chronic inflammation and improved function of certain tissues.

According to the authors, the discovery helps explain why the risk of many diseases increases with age — from cardiovascular conditions to neurodegenerative disorders. Chronic inflammation is considered one of the main factors in the aging of the body.

The researchers emphasize that it is too early to talk about creating a "cure for aging." Nevertheless, the results point to a promising therapeutic target: restoring immune system function could potentially slow age-related changes and reduce the risk of developing a number of diseases.