B2M as a Surface Marker of Cellular Senescence

Before the advent of the first senolytic drugs capable of selectively destroying senescent cells, it was thought by many that progress towards producing rejuvenation in the old via the safe elimination of senescent cells from the body would require the identification of surface markers that are distinctive to the state of senescence. Given a surface marker that clearly and distinctively identifies a cell population, a broad range of strategies become available for the development of targeted therapies. As it turned out,, however, the first senolytics took advantage of the peculiarities of the internal state of senescent cells. These cells are primed to undergo the self-destruction of apoptosis, and as a consequence it was discovered that interference in anti-apoptosis mechanisms will kill senescent cells without harming normal cells. The question of surface markers was largely put aside, with only a few groups, such as SIWA Therapeutics, pursuing approaches of that nature. Given that, it is interesting to take a look at today's open access paper, in which researchers report a distinctive surface marker for senescent cells. It remains the case that any such marker can enable many novel approaches to senolytic therapy, not just the one used as a proof of concept by the authors of this paper. It has to be said that the senolytics field is already well stocked with a diversity of innovative approaches at various stages of development - but more can't hurt! Ultimately, mult...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs