Senescent cells: Are they harmful and should they be removed?

About the successes and failures of the fight against old age

 How do you react to the idea of ​​aging? For many, it causes anxiety, worry and even fear. After all, old age is often associated with negative phenomena, such as fading, physical weakening, memory loss and chronic diseases. “The days of our life are seventy years, and with greater strength - eighty years; and the best of them are labor and sickness, for they pass quickly and we fly away” (Psalm 89:10). These words, written three thousand years ago, confirm that old age has always been a difficult experience. All this pushes scientists to solve issues related to old age and the consequences of aging.

In recent years, scientists specializing in the study of aging have paid special attention to so-called senescent cells. These cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active, which makes them unique. To combat such cells, senolytics have been developed - drugs that can remove senescent cells. While the idea of ​​removing these cells initially looked promising, new evidence suggests it's much more complicated.

What are senescent cells?

Senescent cells are cells that have lost the ability to divide, but continue to perform certain functions in the body. They secrete a complex of substances called SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype), which can cause inflammatory processes and disrupt the normal functioning of tissues. Therefore, it was believed that removing these cells could prevent age-related diseases and slow down the aging process.

Initial findings: Harm to senescent cells

Previously, senescent cells were associated exclusively with negative processes in the body. Research has shown that they promote inflammation, tissue breakdown, and may be linked to the development of age-related diseases such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, and even cancer. Senolytics capable of destroying these cells were initially considered a breakthrough in gerontology. One of the pioneers in this field was Professor James Kirkland of the Mayo Clinic, who showed that removing senescent cells in mice increased their lifespan and reduced signs of aging.

New evidence: Senescent cells may be beneficial

However, new research suggests that senescent cells perform important functions, especially in the context of regeneration and defense of the body. Professor Judith Campisi of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging has made important contributions to this area. She and her colleagues found that senescent cells play a role in wound healing, vascular regulation, and even protection against cancer. For example, a study conducted by Professor Campisi showed that senescent cells promote tissue regeneration after damage and can prevent the early initiation of carcinogenesis. Removing these cells can disrupt these processes and lead to negative consequences.

Controversy: To delete or not?

Fighting senescent cells was not as simple as expected. Research shows that removing all senescent cells can lead to dysfunction of organs such as the lungs and blood vessels. For example, Professor Leila Casset from the University of Paris-Saclay showed that senescent cells in the lungs help maintain the function of the respiratory system, and their removal can lead to deterioration of respiratory function. There is also evidence that senescent cells play a role in modulating the immune response. Dr Manuel Serrano from the Barcelona Institute of Biomedical Research (IRB Barcelona) discovered that senescent cells can help improve the immune response, especially in the context of chronic diseases.

Conclusions and prospects

Removing senescent cells using senolytics may be beneficial in certain situations, but harmful in others. It is necessary to approach this process selectively, taking into account the type of tissue and the condition of the patient. One possible approach is to develop modulators of senescent cells that can regulate their activity without completely destroying them. The development of such modulators will be the next step in the fight against aging and age-related diseases, which requires further research and clinical trials.

For a deeper understanding of this issue, we recommend reading the work of Professors James Kirkland, Judith Campisi and Manuel Serra, which can be found on Science.org.

Alternative attitude towards old age

Old age can be perceived not only as a period of decline, but also as a time of new opportunities and wisdom. Instead of focusing on the inevitable changes in body and mind, old age can be a time for deep reflection, imparting knowledge, creativity, and strengthening connections with loved ones. Modern research shows that an active lifestyle, maintaining good health and a positive attitude can significantly improve the quality of life in old age. It is important to remember that old age is a natural stage that can be met with dignity and gratitude for the years lived and the experience gained.


Association "Language of the Heart"will continue to inform its readers about new research in the field of aging and health maintenance.