CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV): Driving Immune Ageing and Inflammaging
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common herpesvirus, infects a large portion of the global population, with prevalence increasing with age. While typically asymptomatic in healthy individuals, CMV persists in a latent form throughout life and periodically reactivates. This persistence places a constant burden on the immune system, especially in older adults, and contributes significantly to immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation—key hallmarks of aging.
One of the primary ways CMV drives aging is by altering the balance and function of the immune system. Over time, the immune system becomes skewed in its focus on controlling the virus, leading to what's known as "immune exhaustion." This manifests in a shift in the immune profile, notably with an increase in CMV-specific T-cells at the expense of T-cells needed to respond to new infections. These CMV specific T cells can constitute 30% of the total T Memory cells in the elderly. The excessive accumulation of CMV-specific memory T-cells can contribute to immunosenescence, a state where the immune system is no longer able to mount adequate responses to novel pathogens, vaccines, or even cancerous cells.
The chronic immune stimulation from CMV also feeds into the phenomenon of *inflammaging*, a low-grade, systemic inflammation that is a hallmark of aging. CMV’s constant reactivation triggers persistent inflammatory responses, leading to elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Over time, this chronic inflammatory state damages tissues, accelerates age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration, and contributes to the biological decline associated with aging.
Moreover, CMV infection exacerbates immune dysregulation, creating an environment that is ripe for other age-related conditions, including cancer, frailty, and cardiovascular disease. This highlights the profound impact of a single virus on the aging immune system, where its long-term presence fuels the chronic, detrimental inflammatory state seen in elderly populations.
Targeting CMV and managing its contribution to *immunosenescence* and *inflammaging* represents an important frontier in anti-aging therapy. By reducing the immune system's burden of controlling CMV and mitigating its inflammatory consequences, there is potential to preserve immune function and delay age-related diseases.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, it does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your health care practitioner for personalised medical advice.