Inflammaging markers rise from the 30s in ATTICA adults without chronic disease
In 1825 community-dwelling adults aged 18–89 without cancer, cardiovascular or chronic inflammatory disease, IL-6 and fibrinogen rose linearly with age, while an aggregate immune-activation score shifted to an activated state around age 35 in females and 26 in males. This cross-sectional analysis shows associations, not causes. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study included 1825 community-dwelling adults aged 18–89 without cancer, cardiovascular or chronic inflammatory disease. [1]
Chronological age was independently associated with higher mean levels of IL-6, TNF-α and fibrinogen, but not hs-CRP. [1]
The shift to an activated immune state was detected at about 35 years in females and 26 years in males. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Cross-sectional analysis (abstract only)
- Population / context
- 1825 community-dwelling adults aged 18–89 years without cancer, cardiovascular or chronic inflammatory disease (ATTICA study).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 15, 2026
Do immune-activation markers differ by age and sex?
The researchers asked whether signs of inflammaging appear at younger ages than previously thought and whether they differ between the sexes. They studied 1825 adults aged 18–89 living in the community, all free of cancer, cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory disease. This was a cross-sectional analysis, meaning each person was measured once and compared across age groups rather than followed over time.
Supporting source [1]
Five blood markers measured once per participant
In each participant the study quantified circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and an aggregate score called ImmActScore, which combines IL-6, TNF-α and fibrinogen. The relationship between age and these markers was modelled, and age was tested as an independent factor in multivariable linear regression.
Supporting source [1]
Linear rises in IL-6 and fibrinogen; score shift in the 30s
In both sexes fibrinogen and IL-6 increased linearly across the age range, while hs-CRP stayed relatively stable. Chronological age was independently associated with higher mean levels of IL-6, TNF-α and fibrinogen, but not hs-CRP. The ImmActScore followed a sigmoidal curve, and the shift from an immune-activation-free to an activated state was detected at about 35 years in females and 26 years in males. TNF-α showed a late-life acceleration in females, and sex-by-age interactions appeared for TNF-α, hs-CRP and ImmActScore. These are associations from a single measurement per person; they do not show that aging causes the changes or that earlier detection prevents disease.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a cross-sectional analysis with one measurement per person, so it cannot show temporal order or causation. Findings are associations in adults without cancer, cardiovascular or chronic inflammatory disease and may not apply to other groups.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Giannakopoulou SP, Chrysohoou C, Antonopoulou S, Barkas F, Vlachogiannis N, Kravvariti E, Liberopoulos E, Pitsavos C, Tsioufis C, Panagiotakos D, Sfikakis PP. · europepmc.org · October 15, 2026