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Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis
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Published on: February 16, 2015

Apoptosis: a two-edged sword in aging

H R Warner1

  • 1Biology of Aging Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. warnerh@exmur.nia.nih.gov

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|February 11, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has dual roles in aging. Understanding its positive and negative impacts is key to developing interventions targeting mitochondrial function and cell elimination for longevity.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology and Cellular Biology
  • Molecular mechanisms of aging
  • Mammalian aging processes

Background:

  • Apoptosis (programmed cell death) plays a complex role in mammalian aging.
  • Previous reviews have highlighted the significance of apoptosis in aging.
  • Understanding both beneficial and detrimental effects is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize current knowledge on the positive and negative impacts of apoptosis in aging mammalian systems.
  • To provide an updated review of apoptosis's role in aging.
  • To identify potential therapeutic interventions based on apoptosis modulation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on apoptosis and aging.
  • Analysis of physiological and molecular approaches for intervention.
  • Consideration of transgenic interventions.

Main Results:

  • Apoptosis has both beneficial and detrimental effects during aging.
  • Mitochondria are critical in reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis initiation.
  • Maintaining mitochondrial function is a potential therapeutic goal, particularly in post-mitotic tissues.
  • Apoptosis-mediated elimination of damaged cells has anti-aging implications in mitotic tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Modulating apoptosis offers therapeutic potential for aging.
  • Targeting mitochondrial function is a promising strategy for age-related interventions.
  • Leveraging apoptosis for cellular clearance in mitotic tissues may promote longevity.

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