Abstract
Ageing is the primary risk factor for inflammatory disorders and is aligned with a heightened pro-inflammatory state and compromised immunity. Ageing is also associated with enhanced cellular senescence, a state of stable cell-cycle arrest that can be induced by numerous exogenous and endogenous factors, most notably the oxidative stress environment of aged tissues. Whilst many studies have investigated the impact of age and senescence on immune cell functions, less is known about the influence of these factors on vascular responses. This project will address this fundamental issue through the use of a novel mouse model of vascular ageing.
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