Senescent cells in the brain and where to find them

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a process in which cells change their characteristic phenotype in response to stress and enter a state of prolonged cell cycle arrest accompanied by a distinct secretory phenotype. Cellular senescence has both beneficial and detrimental outcomes. With age, senescent cells progressively accumulate in tissues and might be the bridge connecting ageing to many age-related pathologies. In recent years, evidence emerged supporting the accumulation of brain senescent cells during neurological disorders and ageing. Here, we will discuss the different brain cell populations that exhibit a senescent phenotype. Subsequently, we will explore several senolytic strategies which have been developed to eliminate senescent cells. Finally, we will examine their potential to directly eliminate these senescent brain cells.