Emerging role of cellular senescence in normal lung development and perinatal lung injury

Cellular senescence is a status of irreversible growth arrest, which can be triggered by the p53/p21^cip1 and p16^INK4/Rb pathways via intrinsic and external factors. Senescent cells are typically enlarged and flattened, and characterized by numerous molecular features. The latter consists of increased surfaceome, increased residual lysosomal activity at pH 6.0 (manifested by increased activity of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase [SA-β-gal]), senescence-associated mitochondrial dysfunction, cytoplasmic chromatin fragment, nuclear lamin b1 exclusion, telomere-associated foci, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. These features vary depending on the stressor leading to senescence and the type of senescence. Cellular senescence plays pivotal roles in organismal aging and in the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases. Interestingly, senescence can also both promote and inhibit wound healing processes. We recently report that senescence as a programmed process contributes to normal lung development. Lung senescence is also observed in Down Syndrome, as well as in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and in a hyperoxia-induced rodent model of this disease. Furthermore, this senescence results in neonatal lung injury. In this review, we briefly discuss the molecular features of senescence. We then focus on the emerging role of senescence in normal lung development and in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia as well as putative signaling pathways driving senescence. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic approaches targeting senescent cells to prevent perinatal lung diseases.