Longevity & AgingFirst Comprehensive Atlas of Senescent Cells Across the Human Body Unveiled
Researchers funded by NIH have published the first comprehensive atlas of senescent cells across the human body, appearing in the journal Cell. Cellular senescence — the process by which damaged cells stop dividing but refuse to die — is a key driver of aging and age-related diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. Until now, no unified map existed showing where these cells accumulate, in what types, and in what quantities across tissues and organs. This new compendium provides that framework, offering scientists and clinicians a detailed reference for understanding how senescence contributes to disease at specific body sites. The atlas is expected to accelerate development of senolytic therapies — drugs designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells — and to help prioritize which tissues and conditions should be targeted first in clinical trials.
