Vascular cell senescence and vascular aging

Vascular cells have a finite lifespan when cultured in vitro and eventually enter an irreversible growth arrest called "cellular senescence". A number of genetic animal models carrying targeted disruption of the genes that confer the protection against senescence in vitro have been reported to exhibit the phenotypes of premature aging. Similar mutations have been found in the patients with premature aging syndromes. Many of the changes in senescent vascular cell behavior are consistent with the changes seen in age-related vascular diseases. We have demonstrated the presence of senescent vascular cells in human atherosclerotic lesions but not in non-atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, these cells express increased levels of pro-inflammatory molecules and decreased levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, suggesting that cellular senescence in vivo contributes to the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis. One widely discussed hypothesis of senescence is the telomere hypothesis. An increasing body of evidence has established the critical role of the telomere in vascular cell senescence. Another line of evidence suggests that telomere-independent mechanisms are also involved in vascular cell senescence. Activation of Ras, an important signaling molecule involved in atherogenic stimuli, induces vascular cell senescence and thereby promotes vascular inflammation in vitro and in vivo. It is possible that mitogenic-signaling pathways induce telomere-dependent and telomere-independent senescence, which results in vascular dysfunction. Further understanding of the mechanism underlying cellular senescence will provide insights into the potential of antisenescence therapy for vascular aging.