A comparative analysis of the cell biology of senescence and aging

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2009 Aug;66(15):2503-24. doi: 10.1007/s00018-009-0034-2. Epub 2009 May 7.

Abstract

Various intracellular organelles, such as lysosomes, mitochondria, nuclei, and cytoskeletons, change during replicative senescence, but the utility of these changes as general markers of senescence and their significance with respect to functional alterations have not been comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, the relevance of these alterations to cellular and functional changes in aging animals is poorly understood. In this paper, we review the studies that report these senescence-associated changes in various aging cells and their underlying mechanisms. Changes associated with lysosomes and mitochondria are found not only in cells undergoing replicative or induced senescence but also in postmitotic cells isolated from aged organisms. In contrast, other changes occur mainly in cells undergoing in vitro senescence. Comparison of age-related changes and their underlying mechanisms in in vitro senescent cells and aged postmitotic cells would reveal the relevance of replicative senescence to the physiological processes occurring in postmitotic cells as individuals age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology
  • Cell Size
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology*
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / chemistry
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Granules / ultrastructure
  • Cytoskeleton / chemistry
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Replication
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / physiology
  • Heterochromatin / metabolism
  • Heterochromatin / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / ultrastructure
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure
  • Phenotype
  • Progeria / metabolism
  • Progeria / pathology
  • Telomere / metabolism

Substances

  • Heterochromatin