Cellular Senescence, Inflammaging and Cardiovascular Disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Gerontology
• Immunology

Background:

• Aging is the primary unmodifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Cardiovascular aging involves cellular senescence and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), contributing to inflammaging.
• Understanding these aging mechanisms is crucial for developing interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on cardiovascular aging.
• To highlight the roles of cellular senescence, SASP, and inflammaging in cardiovascular dysfunction.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting aging pathways for cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of aging effects on the cardiovascular system.
• Analysis of cellular senescence, SASP, and inflammaging.
• Examination of biomarkers, animal models, and systems biology approaches.
• Review of therapeutic strategies including senolytics and SASP modulators.

Main Results:

• Cellular senescence and SASP contribute to chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling (inflammaging).
• Macrophages play a key role in clearing senescent cells.
• Existing drugs like metformin show potential anti-aging effects relevant to cardiovascular protection.
• Despite progress, direct therapies for senescence and inflammaging in CVD are needed.

Conclusions:

• Targeting cardiovascular aging, including senescence and inflammaging, is a promising strategy for long-term cardiovascular health.
• Senolytics, SASP modulation, and anti-inflammatory/metabolic interventions show therapeutic potential.
• Further research is needed to develop and validate therapies that directly address aging pathways to reduce CVD burden.