MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF AGEING AND THE IMPACT FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Abstract

Ageing is characterized by a progressive degeneration of the tissues that has a negative impact on the structure and function of vital organs. The respiratory system undergoes various anatomical, physiological and immunological changes with age, demonstrating loss of lung parenchyma, decrease of respiratory muscle strength, increase of the alveolar dead space, the airways receptors undergo functional changes and altered expression of inflammatory cells. Despite the fact, that phenotypic changes of ageing is well known, molecular mechanism of these processes are not completely clear, therefore it become a very important investigating object nowadays.