Senescent Cells as a Mechanism for Worse Outcomes in Transplantation of Older Organs

Senescent cells accumulate with age in tissues throughout the body. They secrete a mix of signals that provokes chronic inflammation, disruption of tissue maintenance, and changes in cell behavior that lead to pathology. Targeted clearance of senescent cells has been shown to produce rejuvenation in mice, a reversal of many different age-related conditions, particularly those strongly linked to the chronic inflammation of aging. In this context, researchers here discuss the presence of greater numbers of senescent cells in older tissues as an important mechanism determining outcomes for patients following organ transplantation. Organ transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage-organ failure. The supply of organs, however, is limited, resulting in prolonged waiting times with many patients dying or becoming too ill to be transplanted. Aging demographics have incrementally affected the deceased donor population with older donors showing the by far largest proportional increase. Organs from older donors are, at the same time, underutilized, frequently discarded or not even considered. The most obvious strategy that may close the gap between demand and supply may thus be an optimized utilization of older organs from deceased donors. Increased donor age, at the same time poses a significant risk for adverse outcomes including more frequent rejections due to an augmented immunogenicity in aging. Most relevantly, older organs have shown compromised long-...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs