| Chronic infection shortens telomeresThe lengths of telomeres, stretches of DNA at the ends of chromosomes, have been used as a biomarker for aging: increased age is associated with shortened telomeric DNA. Shortened telomeres have also been suggested to have a causative role in the aging process.
New data obtained in mice reveals that chronic infection can shorten telomeres, suggesting a mechanism by which stress could affect telomere length and also implying that disease over the lifespan could contribute to immunological aging. |
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