Nowadays, there is a rapid increase in the number of elderly patients, requiring a significant expansion of our understanding of the basics of the “biology of aging,” or senescence. The pulmonary system consists of a unique set of cells of various types, which are subject to constant chemical, mechanical, biological, immunological, and xenobiotic stress throughout human life. To date, the mechanisms of lung senescence and the reasons for the increased risk of parenchymal pulmonary diseases, fatal respiratory infections, and primary lung cancer among patients in the older age group remain poorly understood. In this review, we tried to present the molecular and cellular mechanisms of lung aging, especially those predisposing to the development of pulmonary diseases, in the form of a scientific review with discussion.

Keywords: xenobiotic stress, pulmonary senescence, biology of aging