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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells
Published on: June 20, 2018
[Skin aging-cellular senescence : What is the future?]
Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek1,2,3, Yongfang Wang4,5, Evgenia Makrantonaki5,6
1Klinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland. karin.scharffetter-kochanek@uniklinik-ulm.de.
Background:
Cellular senescence is the main cause of skin and organ aging and is associated with a wide range of aging-related diseases.
Objectives:
To understand which senolytics, senomorphics, and cell-based therapies have been developed to alleviate and even rejuvenate skin aging and reduce cellular senescence.
Methods:
Basic literature for the mode of action of senolytics and senomorphics and their clinical perspectives in daily routine are discussed.
Results:
Various causes lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and the activation of pro-aging signaling pathways, which eventually lead to cellular senescence with degradation of structural proteins of the dermal connective tissue and severe suppression of regenerative stem cell niches of the skin.
Conclusions:
Depletion of senescent cells suppress skin aging and enforce rejuvenation of skin and other organs and their function. The removal of senescent cells by cells of the native immune system is severely disturbed during aging. Selected senolytics and senomorphics are approved and are already on the market.
Insights
Cellular senescence drives skin aging and related diseases. Therapies like senolytics and senomorphics can deplete senescent cells, promoting skin rejuvenation and organ function.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Regenerative Medicine
- Cellular Biology
- Dermatology
Context:
- Cellular senescence is a primary driver of skin and organ aging.
- Aging impairs the immune system's ability to clear senescent cells.
- Senescence is linked to numerous age-related diseases.
Purpose:
- To review senolytics, senomorphics, and cell-based therapies for skin aging.
- To explore their mechanisms and clinical potential.
- To assess their role in reducing cellular senescence.
Summary:
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and pro-aging pathways activate cellular senescence.
- This leads to dermal connective tissue degradation and suppressed skin stem cell niches.
- Senolytics and senomorphics aim to clear senescent cells.
Impact:
- Depleting senescent cells rejuvenates skin and organ function.
- Approved senolytics and senomorphics are available.
- These therapies offer potential for mitigating aging effects.
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