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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells
Published on: June 20, 2018
Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities
Raffaella Di Micco1, Valery Krizhanovsky2, Darren Baker3,4
1San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy. dimicco.raffaella@hsr.it.
Abstract:
Cellular senescence, first described in vitro in 1961, has become a focus for biotech companies that target it to ameliorate a variety of human conditions. Eminently characterized by a permanent proliferation arrest, cellular senescence occurs in response to endogenous and exogenous stresses, including telomere dysfunction, oncogene activation and persistent DNA damage. Cellular senescence can also be a controlled programme occurring in diverse biological processes, including embryonic development. Senescent cell extrinsic activities, broadly related to the activation of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, amplify the impact of cell-intrinsic proliferative arrest and contribute to impaired tissue regeneration, chronic age-associated diseases and organismal ageing. This Review discusses the mechanisms and modulators of cellular senescence establishment and induction of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and provides an overview of cellular senescence as an emerging opportunity to intervene through senolytic and senomorphic therapies in ageing and ageing-associated diseases.
Insights
Cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest, contributes to aging and disease. Targeting senescent cells with senolytic or senomorphic therapies offers a promising approach to combat age-related conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cellular senescence, a state of permanent cell proliferation arrest, is triggered by various stresses and plays roles in development and aging.
- Senescent cells secrete factors (senescence-associated secretory phenotype) that impair tissue repair and drive age-related diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of cellular senescence establishment and the induction of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.
- To provide an overview of cellular senescence as a therapeutic target for aging and age-associated diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cellular senescence mechanisms.
- Analysis of senescence-associated secretory phenotype induction.
- Overview of senolytic and senomorphic therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- Cellular senescence is a complex process with implications in development, aging, and disease.
- The senescence-associated secretory phenotype significantly contributes to tissue dysfunction and aging.
- Senolytic and senomorphic therapies show potential for intervening in aging and related diseases.
Conclusions:
- Cellular senescence is a critical factor in aging and age-associated diseases.
- Targeting senescent cells offers a novel therapeutic avenue for improving healthspan and treating age-related pathologies.
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