Targeting Senescent Cells in Atherosclerosis: Pathways to Novel Therapies

Yuhan Tian; Sihang Shao; Haibo Feng; Rui Zeng; Shanshan Li; Qixiong Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2024.102502

Targeting Senescent Cells in Atherosclerosis: Pathways to Novel Therapies

Ageing Res Rev. 2024 Sep 13:102502. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102502. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yuhan Tian¹, Sihang Shao², Haibo Feng³, Rui Zeng¹, Shanshan Li⁴, Qixiong Zhang⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.
² School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
³ College of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China.
⁴ College of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China. Electronic address: sslscu2009@163.com.
⁵ Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Pharmacy, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital Chuandong Hospital & Dazhou First People's Hospital, Dazhou, 635000, China. Electronic address: zhangqixiong@uestc.edu.cn.

PMID: 39278272
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102502

Abstract

Targeting senescent cells has recently emerged as a promising strategy for treating age-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis, which significantly contributes to global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review elucidates the role of senescent cells in the development of atherosclerosis, including persistently damaging DNA, inducing oxidative stress and secreting pro-inflammatory factors known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Therapeutic approaches targeting senescent cells to mitigate atherosclerosis are summarized in this review, which include the development of senotherapeutics and immunotherapies. These therapies are designed to either remove these cells or suppress their deleterious effects. These emerging therapies hold potential to decelerate or even alleviate the progression of AS, paving the way for new avenues in cardiovascular research and treatment.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cellular senescence; Immunotherapy; Senolytics; Senomorphics.

Publication types

Review