FIGURE 1.

Age-related adipose tissue dysfunction drives metabolic and functional declines leading to chronic disease and frailty

Advancing age induces adipose tissue dysfunction, including reduced function of preadipocytes, exacerbated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, increased infiltration of immune cells, elevated senescent cell burden, and an increase in the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This age-related adipose tissue dysfunction leads to adipose redistribution, local and systemic insulin resistance, and chronic sterile inflammation. Without intervention this can induce systemic metabolic dysregulation and functional decline, eventually leading to diabetes and frailty.