Senescent Cells: The Hidden Drivers of Aging and Immune Dysfunction

February 20, 2025
Senescent Cells: The Hidden Drivers of Aging and Immune Dysfunction
  • These cells interact with immunosuppressive cells, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells, exacerbating the state of immune exhaustion.

  • Characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype, senescent cells secrete a range of cytokines and chemokines known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

  • This secretion contributes to a low-grade chronic inflammatory state that supports both cellular senescence and immune senescence within tissues.

  • Moreover, senescent cells express ligands for inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors, which serve as 'don't eat me' signals, allowing them to evade immune surveillance.

  • Inhibitory checkpoint pathways, particularly involving PD-1 and PD-L1, are crucial in the immune response to these senescent cells.

  • Overall, the interplay between senescent cells and the immune system highlights the complex mechanisms that drive aging and immune dysfunction.

  • Senescent cells play a significant role in the aging process by inducing an immunosuppressive phenotype in various immune cells, which promotes immune senescence.

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