Failing Mitochondria and Cellular Senescence in the Aging Lung

Mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence are two of the root causes of aging targeted by the SENS rejuvenation research programs. They overlap at least a little, in that one might cause the other, but it is unclear as to whether this is significant for the specific types of mitochondrial damage considered important in the SENS view of aging. The open access paper here walks through this territory in the case of the aging lung; in recent years, it has become clear that senescent cells are important in the development of fibrosis in lungs and other organs, as well as in other aspects of aging in lung tissue. The present development of various forms of senolytic therapies to remove these cells should result in treatments capable of turning back lung aging to some degree, as well as treating presently intractable lung conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Cellular senescence is generally defined as irreversible cell-cycle arrest. Importantly, senescence is characterised by the development of a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype, termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP is thought to be important for the immune-mediated clearance of senescent cells, however, may also be a contributor to tissue dysfunction. Evidence suggests that accumulation of senescent cells with time, leads to age-related loss of tissue function. Accordingly, senescent cells are found at sites of chronic age-related disease and have been causally impl...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs