Altered intercellular communication is a hallmark of ageing, and refers to changes in the signals that cells throughout the body send to eachother. Intercellular communication is like a biological telecoms network, allowing even distant cells to coordinate their activities. With age, an increasing number of harmful signals are released by certain cells (such as senescent cells), which can drive the ageing process in multiple organ systems. There may also be certain beneficial signals that help the body maintain a youthful state, but which decline with age. This article provides a more detailed explanation of how intercellular communication is disrupted in aging.
The most prominent aspect of altered intercellular communication is an increase in chronic background inflammatory signals known as ‘inflammaging’. These signals come from a variety of sources including senescent cells and in response to various sources of damage. Inflammation drives almost all chronic diseases of aging.
How inflammation promotes disease in different organ systems.
Source