Antero Salminen - University of Eastern Finland

Molecular Basis of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease

Antero Salminen

PhD, Research Director, Emeritus

University of Eastern Finland
Institute of Clinical Medicine / Neurology
P.O. Box 1627
FI-70211 Kuopio
Finland
+358-(0)50 574 07 40
e-mail: antero.salminen (at) uef.fi

Education

Elementary School	Kuohu	1961
Gymnasium	Petäjävesi	1970
Ph.D., Cell Biology	University of Jyväskylä	1985
Docent, Cell Biology	University of Jyväskylä	1987

Major Positions and Appointments

Research Associate	Academy of Finland	1982-1985
Junior Research Fellow	Academy of Finland	1987-1990
Senior Research Fellow	Academy of Finland	1992-1993
Professor of Cell Biology	University of Jyväskylä	1993-1995
Research Director	University of Eastern Finland	1995-2014
Research Director Emeritus	University of Eastern Finland	2014-

Visiting Scientist:

University of California	Berkeley	1986-1987
National Cancer Institute	NIH, Bethesda	1987-1989
University of Hamburg	Medical School, Hamburg	1990-1992
Baylor College of Medicine	Houston	1993

Statistics

(Scopus)

Articles: 261

Citations: 24,036

h-index: 85

Research Interests

NF-κB signaling is a driver of inflammaging
Decline in cellular autophagy and activation of inflammasomes promote inflammaging and Alzheimer’s disease
Krebs cycle intermediates control inflammaging and Alzheimer’s disease by epigenetic remodeling of immune network
Inflammaging stimulates a counteracting immunosuppression which enhances immunosenescence and immune aging
Age-related immunosuppression promotes cellular senescence and tissue degeneration
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor promotes immunosuppression, the aging process, and Alzheimer’s disease
Tissue fibroblasts regulate the aging process in cooperation with the immunosuppressive network
Inhibitory immune checkpoint signaling in the aging process and Alzheimer’s disease
cGAS-STING and HMGB1 signaling promote inflammaging and Alzheimer’s disease

Recent Review Articles

AGING PROCESS

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A (2026) Myeloid cell nuclear differentiation antigen (MNDA) is an interferon-inducible regulator of myelopoiesis. Potential role in the myeloid-biased aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 118, 103112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2026.103112

Salminen A (2026) Redox-sensitive high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a multifunctional regulator of cellular senescence, inflammation, and immunosuppression: Impact on the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 113, 102926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102926

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A (2026) Activation of cGAS-STING signaling in senescent cells promotes the aging process by remodeling the functions of the immune system. Biogerontology 27, 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-025-10353-5

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A (2025) Photoaging: UV radiation-induced cGAS-STING signaling promotes the aging process in skin by remodeling the immune network. Biogerontology 26, 123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-025-10268-1

Salminen A. (2025) Cooperation between inhibitory immune checkpoints of senescent cells with immunosuppressive network to promote immunosenescence and the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 106, 102694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2025.102694

Salminen A. (2025) GDF15/MIC-1: a stress-induced immunosuppressive factor which promotes the aging process. Biogerontology 26, 19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-024-10164-0

Salminen A. (2024) Inhibitory immune checkpoints suppress the surveillance of senescent cells promoting their accumulation with aging and in age-related diseases. Biogerontology 25, 749-773. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w

Salminen A. (2024) The role of the immunosuppressive PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint pathway in the aging process and age-related diseases. J. Mol. Med. (Berl.). 102, 733-750. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-024-02444-6.

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2024) Tissue fibroblasts are versatile immune regulators: An evaluation of their impact on the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 97, 102296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2024.102296.

Salminen A. (2024) AMPK signaling inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts: impact on age-related tissue fibrosis and degeneration. Biogerontology 25, 83-106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-023-10072-9.

Salminen A. (2023) The role of immunosuppressive myofibroblasts in the aging process and age-related diseases. J. Mol. Med. (Berl.) 101, 1169-1189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-023-02360-1

Salminen A. (2023) The plasticity of fibroblasts: A forgotten player in the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 89,101995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101995

Salminen A. (2023) Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) impairs circadian regulation: Impact on the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 87, 101928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101928

Salminen A. (2022) Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) reveals evidence of antagonistic pleiotropy in the regulation of the aging process. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 79, 489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-022-04520-x

Salminen A. (2022) Mutual antagonism between aryl hydrocarbon receptor and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (AhR/HIF-1α) signaling: Impact on the aging process. Cell. Signal. 99, 110445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110445

Salminen A. (2022) Clinical perspectives on the age-related increase of immunosuppressive activity. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 100, 697-712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-022-02193-4

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2022) Photoaging: UV radiation-induced inflammation and immunosuppression accelerate the aging process in the skin. Inflamm. Res. 71, 817-831. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-022-01598-8

Salminen A. (2022) Role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and kynurenine pathway in the regulation of the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 75, 101573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101573

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2021) Insulin/IGF-1 signaling promotes immunosuppression via the STAT3 pathway: impact on the aging process and age-related diseases. Inflamm. Res. 70, 1043-1061. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-021-01498-3

Salminen A. (2021) Immunosuppressive network promotes immunosenescence associated with aging and chronic inflammatory conditions. J. Mol. Med. (Berl). 99, 1553-1569. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-021-02123-w

Salminen A. (2021) Feed-forward regulation between cellular senescence and immunosuppression promotes the aging process and age-related diseases. Ageing Res. Rev. 67, 101280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101280

Salminen A. (2021) Increased immunosuppression impairs tissue homeostasis with aging and age-related diseases. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 99, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-020-01988-7

Salminen A. (2020) Activation of immunosuppressive network in the aging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 57, 100998. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2019.100998

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2020) Exosomal vesicles enhance immunosuppression in chronic inflammation: Impact in cellular senescence and the aging process. Cell. Signal. 75, 109771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109771

Salminen A, Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K. (2019) AMPK activation inhibits the functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC): impact on cancer and aging. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 97, 1049-1064. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-019-01795-9

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2019) Immunosenescence: the potential role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in age-related immune deficiency. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 76, 1901-1918. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-019-03048-x

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2018) The role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in the inflammaging process. Ageing Res. Rev. 48, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2018.09.001

Salminen A, Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K. (2018) Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC): an important partner in cellular/tissue senescence. Biogerontology 19, 325-339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-018-9762-8

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2018) Phytochemicals inhibit the immunosuppressive functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC): impact on cancer and age-related chronic inflammatory disorders. Int. Immunopharmacol. 61, 231-240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2018.06.005

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2017) Integrated stress response stimulates FGF21 expression: systemic enhancer of longevity. Cell. Signal. 40, 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.08.009

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2017) Regulation of longevity by FGF21: interaction between energy metabolism and stress responses. Ageing Res. Rev. 37, 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2017.05.004

Salminen A., Kauppinen A., Kaarniranta K. (2017) FGF21 activates AMPK signaling: impact on metabolic regulation and the aging process. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 95, 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-016-1477-1

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2016) Age-related changes in AMPK activation: role for AMPK phosphatases and inhibitory phosphorylation by upstream signaling pathways. Ageing Res. Rev. 28, 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2016.04.003

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2016) Hypoxia-inducible histone lysine demethylases: impact on the aging process and age-related diseases. Aging Dis. 7, 180-200. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2015.0929

Salminen A, Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K. (2016) AMPK/Snf1 signaling regulates histone acetylation: impact on gene expression and epigenetic functions. Cell. Signal. 28, 887-895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.03.009

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2016) AMPK and HIF signaling pathways regulate both longevity and cancer growth: the good news and the bad news about survival mechanisms. Biogerontology 17, 655-680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-016-9655-7

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Salminen A (2026) Redox-sensitive high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein is a multipotent regulator in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurochem. Int. 193, 106115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2026.106115

Salminen A. (2025) The role of inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. J. Mol. Med. (Berl.) 103, 1-19 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-024-02504-x

Salminen A. (2024) Aryl hydrocarbon receptor impairs circadian regulation in Alzheimer's disease: Potential impact on glymphatic system dysfunction. Eur. J. Neurosci. 60, 3901-3920. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.16450

Salminen A. (2023) Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in Alzheimer's disease: role of tryptophan metabolites generated by gut host-microbiota. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 101, 201-222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-023-02289-5

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2021) Hypoxia/ischemia impairs CD33 (Siglec-3) /TREM2 signaling: Potential role in Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Neurochem. Int. 150, 105186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105186

Salminen A. (2021) Hypoperfusion is a potential inducer of immunosuppressive network in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurochem. Int. 142, 104919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104919

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2020) ER stress activates immunosuppressive network: implications for aging and Alzheimer’s disease. J. Mol. Med. (Berl) 98, 633-650. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-020-01904-z

Salminen A, Kaarniranta K, Kauppinen A. (2018) The potential importance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 75, 3099-3120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-018-2844-6

Salminen A, Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K. (2017) Hypoxia/ischemia activate processing of Amyloid Precursor Protein: impact of vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. J. Neurochem. 140, 536-549. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.13932

Salminen A, Jouhten P, Sarajärvi T, Haapasalo A, Hiltunen M. (2016) Hypoxia and GABA shunt activation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurochem. Int. 92, 13-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuint.2015.11.005

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)

Hyttinen JMT, Salminen A, Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K (2026) The role of Wnt signalling in the pathogenesis and therapy of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. Biochem. Pharmacol. 251, 118114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2026.118114

Kauppinen A, Kaarniranta K, Salminen A. (2020) Potential role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Front. Immunol. 11, 384. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00384

Kaarniranta K, Uusitalo H, Blasiak J, Felszeghy S, Kannan R, Kauppinen A, Salminen A, Sinha D, Ferrington D. (2020) Mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction and their impact on age-related macular degeneration. Prog. Retin. Eye Res. 79, 100858. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100858

Hyttinen JMT, Kannan R, Felszeghy S, Niittykoski M, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. (2019) The regulation of NFE2L2 (NRF2) signalling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in age-related macular degeneration pathology. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 20, 5800. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20225800

Kaarniranta K, Koskela A, Felszeghy S, Kivinen N, Salminen A, Kauppinen A. (2019) Fatty acids and oxidized lipoproteins contribute to autophagy and innate immunity responses upon the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium and development of age-related macular degeneration. Biochimie 159, 49-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biochi.2018.07.010

Hyttinen JM, Blasiak J, Niittykoski M, Kinnunen K, Kauppinen A, Salminen A, Kaarniranta K. (2017) DNA damage response and autophagy in the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial cells: implications for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ageing Res. Rev. 36, 64-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2017.03.006