Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Direct Re-implantation of Left Coronary Artery into the Aorta in Adults with Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery ALCAPA
13:10

Direct Re-implantation of Left Coronary Artery into the Aorta in Adults with Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery ALCAPA

Published on: April 24, 2017

19.2K

Cellular Senescence in the Ascending Aorta and Complexity of Coronary Atherosclerosis

Hanife Abanus1, Mutlu Vural1, Fahrettin Katkat2

  • 1Cardiology Department, Medical Sciences University Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Journal of Aging Research
|February 2, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cellular senescence markers p16 and p21 in the aorta correlate with coronary artery disease (CAD) complexity. Higher p16 expression independently predicts more complex CAD in patients undergoing bypass surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Aging Biology
  • Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Background:

  • Cellular senescence is implicated in vascular aging and atherosclerosis.
  • Direct human evidence linking vascular senescence to coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between senescent cell markers in the ascending aorta and CAD complexity.
  • To evaluate p16, p21, and β-galactosidase as biomarkers for CAD complexity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Main Methods:

  • Ascending aortic tissue samples were analyzed from 112 patients undergoing CABG.
  • Immunohistochemistry assessed p16, p21, and β-galactosidase expression.
  • Coronary lesion complexity was quantified using the SYNTAX score.

Main Results:

  • Higher p16 and p21 expression (percentage and grade) in the aorta correlated with moderate-to-high SYNTAX scores.
  • p16 expression was an independent predictor of higher SYNTAX scores (OR: 1.016, p=0.047).
  • β-galactosidase showed no significant association with CAD complexity.

Conclusions:

  • Increased p16 and p21 expression in the ascending aorta is linked to greater coronary atherosclerosis complexity.
  • p16 emerges as an independent predictor of complex CAD, suggesting a role in vascular aging and disease progression.
Abstract

Keywords:
biomarkerscellular senescencecoronary angiographycoronary artery diseasescoring methods

More Related Videos

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence06:51

Techniques to Induce and Quantify Cellular Senescence

Published on: May 1, 2017

35.1K
Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells08:18

Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells

Published on: June 20, 2018

18.0K

Related Concept Videos

The Aorta01:14

The Aorta

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It originates from the left ventricle of the heart and extends down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries. Structurally, it can be divided into four main parts: the ascending aorta, the aortic arch, the thoracic aorta, and the abdominal aorta.
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...
2.8K
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
412
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
1.1K
The Arch of Aorta01:10

The Arch of Aorta

The coronary arteries, originating from the ascending aorta, bifurcate from two sinuses located within the ascending aorta. Positioned just above the aortic semilunar valve, these sinuses house essential aortic baroreceptors and chemoreceptors, crucial for maintaining cardiac function. The left coronary artery and the right coronary artery branch off from the left posterior and anterior aortic sinuses, respectively.
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
1.7K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.4K
Thoracic Aorta01:15

Thoracic Aorta

The thoracic section of the aorta begins at the T5 vertebra and extends to the T12 level at the diaphragm, initially progressing through the mediastinum to the left of the spinal column. Throughout its course in the thoracic segment, the thoracic aorta emits various offshoots known collectively as visceral and parietal branches. The branches that predominantly supply blood to visceral organs are termed visceral branches and include bronchial, pericardial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries,...
1.7K