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Updated: May 25, 2026
06:51
Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence
Published on: May 1, 2017
A senescent cell bystander effect: senescence-induced senescence
Glyn Nelson1, James Wordsworth, Chunfang Wang
1Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Aging Cell
|February 11, 2012
Summary
Senescent cells can spread senescence to neighboring cells through cell-cell contact and reactive oxygen species (ROS). This bystander effect can induce DNA damage responses and trigger senescence in healthy cells, both in vitro and potentially in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Cellular senescence
- Intercellular communication
- DNA damage response
Background:
- Senescent cells secrete bioactive molecules, potentially harming their environment and promoting tumor growth.
- The impact of senescent cells on normal, non-senescent neighboring cells was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of senescent cells on their normal, proliferation-competent counterparts.
- To determine if senescent cells can induce senescence in neighboring cells (bystander effect).
Main Methods:
- Co-culture of senescent and normal cells in vitro.
- Analysis of DNA damage response markers in bystander cells.
- Investigation of gap junction communication and reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement.
- Observation of senescent cell clustering in mouse livers in vivo.
Main Results:
- Senescent cells induced a DNA damage response in neighboring cells.
- Gap junction-mediated contact and ROS were identified as key mechanisms.
- Continuous exposure led to induced senescence in bystander fibroblasts.
- Hepatocytes with senescence markers were observed to cluster in mouse livers.
Conclusions:
- Senescent cells can induce a bystander effect, spreading senescence to adjacent cells.
- This intercellular communication occurs via cell-cell contact and ROS.
- The findings suggest senescence can propagate within tissues, both in vitro and potentially in vivo.
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