Proposed model: as a consequence of inflammaging, miR-146a levels are reduced, and inflammatory cytokine production is increased in hematopoietic cells, including macrophages. Consequently, these cytokines promote HSC proliferation and differentiation into stem cells with a myeloid and, potentially, leukemic bias. This state contributes to malignant transformation by some cell clones. Upon transformation to AML, miR-146a expression negatively correlates with prognosis.