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Published on: June 28, 2019
Targeting senescent cells for vascular aging and related diseases
Yang-Nan Ding1, Hui-Yu Wang1, Hou-Zao Chen1
1State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Vascular aging, driven by senescent cells, increases cardiovascular disease risk. Targeting these senescent cells (senotherapy) or their inducers (senoprevention) may delay aging and related vascular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases pose significant health risks, particularly in the elderly.
- Vascular aging, characterized by cellular senescence and structural/functional maladaptation, is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of senescent vascular cells in vascular aging.
- To explore senotherapy and senoprevention strategies for mitigating vascular aging and age-related vascular diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on senescent vascular cells (endothelial, smooth muscle, immune) and their roles.
- Analysis of senotherapy and senoprevention strategies targeting cellular senescence and senescence inducers.
- Identification of future research directions.
Main Results:
- Senescent vascular cells contribute significantly to the vascular aging process.
- Targeting senescent cells or senescence inducers presents promising therapeutic avenues.
- Further research is needed to address remaining questions in the field.
Conclusions:
- Cellular senescence is a key driver of vascular aging and associated cardiovascular risks.
- Senotherapy and senoprevention offer potential interventions to delay vascular aging.
- Future research should focus on translating these strategies into clinical applications.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases are a serious threat to human health, especially in the elderly. Vascular aging makes people more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases due to significant dysfunction or senescence of vascular cells and maladaptation of vascular structure and function; moreover, vascular aging is currently viewed as a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. To emphasize the relationship between senescent cells and vascular aging, we first summarize the roles of senescent vascular cells (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and immune cells) in the vascular aging process and inducers that contribute to cellular senescence. Then, we present potential strategies for directly targeting senescent cells (senotherapy) or preventively targeting senescence inducers (senoprevention) to delay vascular aging and the development of age-related vascular diseases. Finally, based on recent research, we note some important questions that still need to be addressed in the future.
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