The accumulation of senescent cells has long been thought to be a phenomenon unique to old age, but is this really the case? To answer that question, we need to understand what causes senescence of cells. Hayflick limits point out that with the increase of cell division, telomere DNA gradually shorts, which eventually leads to the cell stopping division and proliferation and entering the senescence state (Figure 1). From this point of view, the increase of age is indeed the main cause of cellular senescence.
Figure 1. Senescence-Centric View of Aging [1].
However, cellular senescence is a complex process involving multiple factors. More and more research show that the accumulation of cellular senescence is not limited to the elderly. In addition to age, there are a number of other factors that can also cause cell aging. Some common factors include environmental factors, lifestyle, metabolic processes, and the development of chronic diseases. It is no exaggeration to say that there are "catalysts" that accelerate cellular senescence everywhere in our lives:
Figure 2. External stressors induce skin cell senescence.
To sum up, not only the elderly should pay attention to the removal of senescent cells, but each of us should pay attention to the accumulation of senescent cells in the body. These senescent cells also trigger an inflammatory response, leading to a decline in overall body health. Therefore, removing senescent cells is the key to preventing aging and promoting a long and healthy life [7].
In recent years, researchers have found ways to get rid of senescent cells. One is to target senescent cells with drugs, a treatment known as “Senotherapeutics”. In addition, regular exercise, maintaining a good diet and sleep habits are also considered to be effective ways to remove senescent cells.
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