Chronic respiratory diseases are the third leading cause of death and affect more than 450 million people worldwide [1]. Major risk factors such as cigarette smoking have long been studied in their pathogenesis, but as the global population ages, increasing attention must now be paid to the contributory role of ageing [2]. Epidemiological evidence indicates a decline in lung health over time with lung function classically reaching its peak between 20–30 years of age and starting an inevitable descent thereafter [3]. Modern paradigms suggest that this rise and descent may occur at different rates along the lifespan, which may indicate that the links between age and lung function may be variable between individuals [4]. Deciphering how lung ageing influences the development of chronic respiratory diseases may hold powerful clues into novel therapeutics and management strategies.

慢性呼吸系统疾病是第三大死亡原因，影响着全球超过 4.5 亿人 [1]。长期以来，人们一直在研究吸烟等主要危险因素的发病机制，但随着全球人口老龄化，现在必须越来越关注老龄化的促成作用 [2]。流行病学证据表明，肺健康状况会随着时间的推移而下降，肺功能通常在 20-30 岁之间达到顶峰，此后开始不可避免地下降 [3]。现代范式表明，这种上升和下降在一生中可能以不同的速率发生，这可能表明年龄和肺功能之间的联系可能因个体而异 [4]。破译肺衰老如何影响慢性呼吸系统疾病的发展，可能为新的治疗方法和管理策略提供有力的线索。