El tacto, un sentido crucial en las interacciones sociales para mejorar la homeostasis en el envejecimiento y promover una longevidad saludable / Touch, a crucial sense in social interactions to improve homeostasis in aging and promote healthy longevity

El envejecimiento se asocia con el deterioro generalizado del organismo, siendo de gran relevancia el que experimentan los sistemas homeostáticos como el sistema nervioso, inmunitario y endocrino, lo que aumenta el riesgo de morbilidad y mortalidad. Entre las estrategias de estilo de vida que se han investigado para mejorar esos sistemas y conseguir una mayor longevidad saludable, esta revisión se focalizará en el ambiente social. Para poder comprobar la efectividad de este, tanto en la mejoría de la homeostasis como en la esperanza de vida, se comentarán las investigaciones llevadas a cabo con animales de experimentación que han permitido hacerlo. Además, como se ha observado que el contacto físico es crucial para que se produzcan los resultados positivos de la interacción social sobre los sistemas homeostáticos y la longevidad, nos centraremos en ese mecanismo, así como en algunas de las posibles vías moleculares subyacentes a los efectos encontrados. (AU)

Aging is associated with the generalized deterioration of the organism, being of great relevance experienced by homeostatic systems such as the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Among the lifestyle strategies that have been researched to improve these systems and achieve greater healthy longevity, this review will focus on the social environment. In order to verify the effectiveness of these both in the improvement of homeostasis and in life expectancy, the research carried out with experimental animals that have allowed this to be done will be discussed. In addition, as it has been observed that physical contact is crucial for the positive outcomes of social interaction on homeostatic systems and longevity to occur, we will focus on that mechanism, as well as some of the possible molecular pathways underlying the effects found. (AU)

[Touch, a crucial sense in social interactions to improve homeostasis in aging and promote healthy longevity]. / El tacto, un sentido crucial en las interacciones sociales para mejorar la homeostasis en el envejecimiento y promover una longevidad saludable.

Aging is associated with the generalized deterioration of the organism, being of great relevance experienced by homeostatic systems such as the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Among the lifestyle strategies that have been researched to improve these systems and achieve greater healthy longevity, this review will focus on the social environment. In order to verify the effectiveness of these both in the improvement of homeostasis and in life expectancy, the research carried out with experimental animals that have allowed this to be done will be discussed. In addition, as it has been observed that physical contact is crucial for the positive outcomes of social interaction on homeostatic systems and longevity to occur, we will focus on that mechanism, as well as some of the possible molecular pathways underlying the effects found.

Social environment as a modulator of immunosenescence.

Immune system aging, a process known as immunosenescence, involves a striking rearrangement affecting all immune cells, resulting in an increased rate of infections and a major incidence of autoimmune diseases and cancer. Nonetheless, differences in how individuals of the same chronological age carry out this immunosenescence establishment and thus the aging rate have been reported. In the context of neuroimmunoendocrine communication and its role in the response to stress situations, growing evidence suggests that social environments profoundly influence all physiological responses, especially those linked to immunity. Accordingly, negative contexts (loneliness in humans/social isolation in rodents) were associated with immune impairments and decreased lifespan. However, positive social environments have been correlated with adequate immunity and increased lifespan. Therefore, the social context in which an individual lives is proposed as a decisive modulator of the immunosenescence process and, consequently, of the rate of aging. In this review, the most important findings regarding how different social environments (negative and positive) modulate immunosenescence and therefore the aging rate, as well as the role of stress responses, hormesis, and resilience in these environments will be explained. Finally, several possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of negative and positive environments on immunosenescence will be suggested.