The role of senescence in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: A target process for health improvement and drug development

Guangran Guo; Steven Watterson; Shu-Dong Zhang; Anthony Bjourson; Victoria McGilligan; Aaron Peace; Taranjit Singh Rai

doi:10.1016/j.arr.2021.101363

The role of senescence in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: A target process for health improvement and drug development

Ageing Res Rev. 2021 Aug:69:101363. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101363. Epub 2021 May 21.

Authors

Guangran Guo¹, Steven Watterson¹, Shu-Dong Zhang¹, Anthony Bjourson¹, Victoria McGilligan¹, Aaron Peace², Taranjit Singh Rai³

Affiliations

¹ Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Derry, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT47 6SB, UK.
² Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Derry, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT47 6SB, UK; Cardiovascular Research and Improvement Science Centre (CardioRISC), WHSCT, Northern Ireland, UK; Department of Cardiology, Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT, Northern Ireland, UK.
³ Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Ulster University, Derry, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT47 6SB, UK. Electronic address: t.rai@ulster.ac.uk.

PMID: 34023420
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101363

Abstract

Cellular senescence is a state of growth arrest that occurs after cells encounter various stresses. Senescence contributes to tumour suppression, embryonic development, and wound healing. It impacts on the pathology of various diseases by secreting inflammatory chemokines, immune modulators and other bioactive factors. These secretory biosignatures ultimately cause inflammation, tissue fibrosis, immunosenescence and many ageing-related diseases such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Because the molecular mechanisms underpinning AF development remain unclear, current treatments are suboptimal and have serious side effects. In this review, we summarize recent results describing the role of senescence in AF. We propose that senescence factors induce AF and have a causative role. Hence, targeting senescence and its secretory phenotype may attenuate AF.

Keywords: Ageing; Atrial fibrillation; Atrial fibrosis; Senescence.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Atrial Fibrillation* / drug therapy
Cellular Senescence
Drug Development
Fibrosis
Humans
Immunosenescence*