Molecular imaging for senescent cells-targeted therapeutics in aging and age-related diseases

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Molecular Medicine
• Biomedical Imaging and Therapeutics

Background:

• Senescent cells contribute to aging and age-related diseases, characterized by distinct phenotypes.
• Current senotherapeutics (senolytics and senomorphics) face challenges in clinical translation due to unclear internal mechanisms and insufficient in vivo evaluation.
• There is a critical need for novel therapeutic targets and drugs with robust in vivo validation for aging and age-related disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of molecular imaging in understanding senescent cell pathophysiology and senotherapeutics in vivo.
• To highlight how molecular imaging can facilitate the development and clinical translation of geropharmacology.
• To demonstrate the application of imaging probes for visualizing senescent cells and guiding senotherapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing molecular imaging techniques to visualize complex biochemical processes in living systems.
• Designing and synthesizing specific and sensitive imaging probes for senescent cells and senotherapeutics.
• Developing strategies for conjugating senolytics and senomorphics with imaging probes for image-guided therapy.

Main Results:

• Molecular imaging enables visualization of in vivo mechanisms of senescent cells and their targeted therapies.
• Imaging probes can specifically detect senescent cells and monitor the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of senotherapeutics.
• Image-guided therapy using conjugated senolytics/senomorphics shows promise for reversing aging-related dysfunction.

Conclusions:

• Molecular imaging is a revolutionary approach for exploring aging and age-related diseases at the cellular and tissue levels.
• It significantly aids in understanding senescent cell behavior and evaluating senotherapeutics in vivo.
• Molecular imaging is crucial for advancing geropharmacology and promoting the clinical translation of aging therapies.