Abstract
Inflammation is a broad term that refers to a collection of carefully balanced programs in the body. These pathways are essential for detecting invading microorganisms, controlling the spread of infection, and instructing appropriate immune responses to eliminate pathogens. During aging there is deterioration of important regulatory mechanisms, giving rise to persistent low-grade inflammation that drives chronic conditions such as metabolic dysregulation, immune senescence, and cognitive decline. Understanding this aspect of the pathobiology of aging is key to uncovering the source(s) and cause(s) of age-related inflammation that underlies disease.