Nature Communications · 7 October 2026 · From issue 48
Lung environment in healthy old age shapes the phenotype and CCR2-mediated recruitment of a subset of apoptotic, high-turnover alveolar macrophages
In mice, monkeys, and humans, one lung immune cell type grows over 10 times more common with healthy aging.
Susanta Pahari, Miranda Lumbreras et al.
A certain lung defense cell becomes far more common as mammals age in healthy ways. It grows to more than 10 times its normal level in old mice, monkeys, and people. Old lungs push these cells to change shape and bring in new short-lived replacement cells. These new cells die quickly through a natural cell death process, which may add to age-related inflammation.
The rise in one lung immune cell type seen in old mice, monkeys, and humans.
Mouse mechanism work only, human data limited to cell counts.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 8 October 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Nature Communications). Read the source
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