Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells
08:18

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells

Published on: June 20, 2018

18.1K

The induction of the fibroblast extracellular senescence metabolome is a dynamic process

Emma N L James1, Mark H Bennett2, E Kenneth Parkinson3

  • 1Centre for Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Turner Street, London, E1 2AD, UK.

Scientific Reports
|August 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Cellular senescence, linked to DNA damage, can be identified by specific extracellular metabolites. These metabolic signatures offer new non-invasive biomarkers for aging and senescence.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Cell Biology
  • Metabolomics

Background:

  • Cellular senescence, characterized by irreparable DNA double-strand breaks (IrrDSBs), is a hallmark of aging.
  • Senescent cell removal improves age-related diseases, but non-invasive biomarkers are needed for clinical translation.
  • Extracellular senescence metabolome (ESM) comprises serum metabolites indicating chronological age and accumulating independently of cell cycle arrest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize non-invasive biomarkers for senescent cells.
  • To investigate the dynamic changes in the extracellular senescence metabolome (ESM) associated with aging and senescence.
  • To identify novel ESM metabolites linked to chronological aging and cellular senescence.

Main Methods:

  • Unbiased metabolomic screening of ESM from fibroblasts with irreparable DNA double-strand breaks (IrrDSBsen).
  • Analysis of metabolite initiation and maintenance over a 20-day study period.
  • Targeted analysis of citrate in two cell lines to assess its dynamic nature and relationship with p16INK4A.

Main Results:

  • The ESM of IrrDSBsen fibroblasts showed progressive alterations over 20 days, unlike transcriptional profiles.
  • Several new ESM metabolites associated with chronological aging were identified.
  • Citrate levels dynamically changed in senescent cells, independent of the senescence effector p16INK4A.

Conclusions:

  • The extracellular senescence metabolome (ESM) provides dynamic metabolic signatures of aging and cellular senescence.
  • Identified ESM metabolites can serve as potential non-invasive biomarkers for aging and senescence.
  • Understanding these metabolic signatures aids in the study of aging, senescence, and DNA damage.

More Related Videos

A Quantitative Measurement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype in Normal Human Fibroblasts During Oncogene-induced Senescence13:59

A Quantitative Measurement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Senescence-associated Secretory Phenotype in Normal Human Fibroblasts During Oncogene-induced Senescence

Published on: August 12, 2018

8.6K
Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

35.1K

Related Concept Videos

The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

Overview
89.2K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.4K
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
4.0K
Dynamic Equilibrium02:20

Dynamic Equilibrium

A reversible chemical reaction represents a chemical process that proceeds in both forward (left to right) and reverse (right to left) directions. When the rates of the forward and reverse reactions are equal, the concentrations of the reactant and product species remain constant over time and the system is at equilibrium. A special double arrow is used to emphasize the reversible nature of the reaction. The relative concentrations of reactants and products in equilibrium systems vary greatly;...
63.0K
Induction01:16

Induction

An emf is induced when the magnetic field in a coil is changed by pushing a bar magnet into or out of the coil. emfs of opposite signs are produced by motion in opposite directions, and the directions of emfs are also reversed by reversing poles. The same results are produced if the coil is moved rather than the magnet—it is the relative motion that is important. The faster the motion, the greater the emf. Additionally, there is no emf when the magnet is stationary relative to the coil.
A...
5.7K
Self-Inductance01:24

Self-Inductance

Mutual inductance arises when a current in one circuit produces a changing magnetic field that induces an emf in another circuit. On the other hand, self-inductance arises when the current passing through the circuit changes, creating a changing magnetic flux, resulting in inductance in the same circuit.
Consider a circuit connected to an AC source. As the current varies with time, the magnetic flux through the circuit correspondingly changes. Faraday's law tells us that an emf would...
3.1K