What is the Role of Senescent Cells in Aging and Disease?

Senescent cells play a dual role in aging and disease. On one hand, they act as a tumor suppressive mechanism by halting the proliferation of potentially cancerous cells. On the other hand, the accumulation of senescent cells contributes to age-related tissue dysfunction and chronic inflammation. This is primarily due to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which includes the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteases that can disrupt tissue structure and function.