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