Optimal Being

The accumulation of  senescent cells  in aged tissues is an important contributing cause of aging, but it is only one cause of many. Nonetheless, removing even just a third of lingering senescent cells in some tissues produces  a degree of rejuvenation in old mice  that is large enough to be very interesting. Much of this effect appears mediated by a reduction in inflammatory signaling and thus in the  chronic inflammation  that disrupts tissue function in later life. We can hope that clinical trials and the ongoing development of first and second generation  senolytic therapies  to clear senescent cells will demonstrate similar benefits to health in humans.   Chronic inflammation, one of the major  hallmarks of aging , is thought to be partly caused by senescent cells that may accumulate in older individuals. As we age, a small number of cells in tissues throughout our body become senescent. These cells undergo irreversible  cell c...

  Prof Georgina Ellison-Hughes: targeting cell senescence using senolytics can rejuvenate the aged heart’s regenerative capacity. Speaking at the  Longevity Leaders  conference earlier this year, King’s College London Professor Georgina Ellison-Hughes shared a fascinating insight into her work to establish the adult heart as a self-renewing organ with regenerative capacity. Longevity.Technology: The heart is generally considered a “post-mitotic” organ, or one without regenerative capacity. As we age and encounter chronic disease, senescent cells accumulate in the heart, just as they do in other tissues and organs. Ellison-Hughes’ work has shown that cellular senescence may impact the efficacy of regenerative therapies, and that senolytics have the potential to rejuvenate the heart’s capacity to regenerate. We caught up with the professor to learn more. Cellular senescence  is one of the nine  hallmarks of aging . It occurs when our cells stop reproducing and ent...