The crucial role of normative ageing in respiratory pathogenesis

Summary Although breathing seems like a simple action, many individuals encounter difficulties under ever-changing and complex circumstances, which can become increasingly problematic as the individuals age. In this Review, we comprehensively assess the ageing respiratory system. We begin with the physiological structural changes and their effect on lung function associated with ageing, before exploring the genetic and molecular factors that contribute to the loss of respiratory function with age. Defining how biological ageing manifests in the respiratory system and understanding disease-driven hallmarks of accelerated ageing conditions will enable the development of interventions to improve health across age groups, which will be crucial to address population health challenges over the coming decades.