Study: Eliminating senescent cells may prevent/delay age-related disease.

Five decades ago, scientists discovered that healthy cells undergo a limited number of divisions in their lifetimes, reaching a state called cellular senescence where the cells neither die nor multiply in what is believed to be a defense against cancer. Other studies have shown that these cells emit factors that harm nearby cells and cause tissue inflammation, and are thus regularly removed by the immune system. However, the immune system becomes less effective at this over time, and an elderly individual may be comprised of 10 to 15 percent senescent cells. This study genetically engineered mice so that a certain chemical would only harm senescent cells, providing an effective means of removing the cells and directly measuring the effect of their absence. The study found that "lifelong elimination of senescent cells delayed the onset of age-related disorders such as cataracts and muscle loss and weakness." The study then supports the role that chemicals secreted by senescent cells are believed to play in age related tissue disease and dysfunction.

Original article: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20111103/Eliminating-senescent-cells-could-prevent-or-delay-onset-of-age-related-disorders.aspx?