Could Senescent Skin Cells Age the Entire Body?

UV-induced skin aging can affect the brain, decreasing hippocampal neurogenesis, for example.
UV-induced skin aging can affect the brain, decreasing hippocampal neurogenesis, for example.

Researchers from the University of Coimbra, Portugual, have published an opinion in Trends in Molecular Medicine proposing senescent skin cells could cause aging throughout the body. 

As is well-known, aged skin shows structural, cellular and molecular changes and the accumulation of senescent cells. These cells can induce or accelerate age-related dysfunction in nearby cells.

See related: Disrupted Splicing in Cellular Senescence Presents Novel Anti-aging Target

According to the authors, aging and cellular senescence phenotypes in the skin correlate with immunosenescence, longevity and/or cardiovascular disease risk. Furthermore, UV-induced skin aging can affect the brain, decreasing hippocampal neurogenesis, for example.

Topical senolytics such as dasatinib and fisetin also are discussed to selectively eliminate senescent cells for anti-aging effects.

See archived: Testing Tactics in Skin; Targeting Senescent Cells for Anti-aging

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