Clearing out Cell Clutter Can Slow Aging

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Scientists discovered that mice lived longer than normal after scientists eliminated a certain type of cell from the mice's bodies. The finding published in the journal Nature on Wednesday could someday lead to treatment for age-related health problems in people.

Jan van Deursen, senior author of the study, said that it is normal for the cells to stop dividing as they accumulate damage in their DNA, reports NPR. However, these cells have stopped dividing not entirely because the cells are also old; they are found to accumulate in the body with age.

While some cells successfully fix the damage, other cells simply stop working and enter a state of senescence. These cells can potentially turn into tumors, The Atlantic adds. These damaged cells secrete a mixture of chemicals that can trigger inflammation and can damage other cells often leading to some age-related disease.

"Cellular senescence is a biological mechanism that functions as an 'emergency brake' used by damaged cells to stop dividing," said Deursen, who is also the chair of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, reports Philly.

Although the immune system regularly clears senescent cells, the process becomes less effective as people age. So, Deursen and his colleagues wanted to know what would happen if you simply get rid of senescent cells.

For the study, the scientists created genetically-altered mice and gave them a drug that would trigger senescent cells to kill themselves, reports NPR. The drug was administered to the mice when they reached middle age.

Initially, there were no notable effects on the mice. However, as the mice get older, the scientists observed that the treated mice look healthier. In fact, the life span of the treated mice was extended by 17 to 35 percent. They also observed less inflammation in fat, muscle and kidney tissue. Surprisingly, there were no recorded harmful effects to the mice.

Although the senescent cells can potentially lead to cancer as they accumulate over time, they also have benefits. A study revealed last year that these cells can aid in wound-healing. True enough, Deursen and his team found that the treated mice heal more slowly after the senescent cells were removed, reports The Atlantic.

Typically, the study has encountered many limitations. There are several chemicals found to slow the aging process in laboratory organisms; however, effects on humans have never been tried. Any attempt to remove senescent cells in people may have serious side effects.

Although the study has established that senescent cells contribute to aging, it is too soon to say what to do with them, says Dominic Withers, a researcher at the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London.

Check out the video of Dr. Judith Campisi explaining about aging and senescent cells: