Cellular Senescence: A Pathogenic Driver for Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Sihan Wang1,2, Rongrong Wang1,2, Qiyuan He1,2
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 230032 Hefei, Anhui, China.
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark Edition)
|August 6, 2025
Summary
Cellular senescence contributes to pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease with no effective treatments. Targeting cellular senescence offers potential therapeutic strategies for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cellular Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Pulmonary fibrosis is a fatal lung disease with poor prognosis and limited treatment options.
- Cellular senescence, an aging process, is implicated in the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Key pathways like p53/p21 and p16/pRB contribute to cellular senescence in lung diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes of lung cell senescence and pulmonary fibrosis.
- To discuss signaling pathways and epigenetic factors in senescence and fibrosis.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting cellular senescence for pulmonary fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of common causes of lung cell senescence and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Analysis of signaling pathways and epigenetic factors involved in cellular senescence.
- Examination of current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting cellular senescence.
Main Results:
- Aging, inflammation, chemotherapy, and pollutants are common causes of lung cell senescence and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Signaling pathways (e.g., p53/p21, p16/pRB) and epigenetic factors (e.g., non-coding RNAs) are crucial in senescence and fibrosis.
- Targeting cellular senescence presents promising therapeutic avenues for pulmonary fibrosis.
Conclusions:
- Cellular senescence plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Understanding the mechanisms linking senescence and fibrosis can lead to novel treatments.
- Targeting cellular senescence holds potential for improving outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis patients.
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