[Sorting of senescent cells by flow cytometry: Specificities and pitfalls to avoid]

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Aging Research
• Molecular Biology

Context:

• Cellular senescence is a stress response, often linked to genome instability.
• Accumulation of senescent cells with age contributes to age-associated pathologies.
• Studying senescence is difficult due to cell heterogeneity and contamination by non-senescent cells.

Purpose:

• To develop a reliable method for isolating senescent cells.
• To overcome challenges in studying senescence, including cell heterogeneity.
• To enable better analysis of senescence induction, maintenance, and escape.

Summary:

• A novel flow cytometry protocol was developed to sort senescent cells.
• The method utilizes three key senescence markers: SA-β-Galactosidase activity, cell size, and granularity.
• This approach addresses issues like cell pollution and varying senescence levels, enabling the sorting of viable senescent cells.

Impact:

• Facilitates more accurate research into the role of senescent cells in aging and disease.
• Enables deeper understanding of the molecular pathways governing senescence.
• Provides a valuable tool for researchers studying age-related conditions and therapeutic interventions.