Longevity & AgingHow the Immune System Hunts Senescent Cells and Why It Fails With Age
Senescent cells — damaged cells that stop dividing but refuse to die — are normally cleared by the immune system to support tissue repair. This review from the Weizmann Institute explains how immune cells including NK cells, macrophages, T cells, and B cells identify and eliminate senescent cells. With age, this surveillance system deteriorates, allowing senescent cells to accumulate in tissues, accelerating aging and fueling diseases like cancer. Importantly, immune cells themselves can become senescent, further compromising the body's ability to remove harmful cells. The authors survey emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at boosting immunosurveillance of senescent cells as a pathway to treating age-related diseases.
