Transcriptome signature of cellular senescence

Area of Science:

• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Aging Research
• Oncology

Background:

• Cellular senescence is implicated in aging and cancer development.
• Current methods for identifying senescent cells lack universal and exclusive markers.
• Diverse triggers induce senescence, complicating marker identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify robust, shared molecular markers for cellular senescence across diverse models.
• To enable more accurate in vivo identification of senescent cells.
• To facilitate research into senescence's role in aging and cancer and therapeutic targeting.

Main Methods:

• RNA-sequencing analysis was performed on eight distinct senescence models.
• Models included human diploid fibroblasts and endothelial cells.
• Triggers included replicative exhaustion, ionizing radiation, doxorubicin, and oncogene expression (HRASG12V).

Main Results:

• A shared transcriptome profile was identified across all tested senescence models.
• 50 RNAs were consistently elevated, and 18 RNAs were consistently reduced.
• These RNAs include both protein-coding mRNAs and non-coding RNAs.

Conclusions:

• The identified shared transcriptome profiles provide robust markers for cellular senescence.
• These markers can improve in vivo senescent cell identification and characterization.
• This discovery supports the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting senescent cells.