Nature Aging: mechanical damage to membranes causes cell aging
Scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Japan) have discovered a new cause of cell aging. According to the article, published in the journal Nature Aging, it occurs as a result of damage to the cell membrane due to mechanical stress.
Previously, it was believed that mechanical damage to the cell membrane leads to only two scenarios: restoration or destruction of the entire cell. The key to determining fate is the extent of damage and the subsequent influx of calcium ions. It turned out that the average level of damage is not sufficient for the final death of the cell; however, despite the fact that the membrane is restored, the cell acquires an aging phenotype and becomes scenic.
Senescent cells are still metabolically active, but they also produce various secretory proteins that activate immune responses in both nearby tissues and distant organs. This mechanism can cause both beneficial and harmful changes in the body, including increased wound healing, cancer development, and aging.
Eliminating scenic cells has been shown to have a rejuvenating effect on the body. Scientists have discovered that damage to the cell membrane causes cellular aging through the calcium mechanism and the tumor suppressor gene p53, and this result could be used to develop methods to achieve healthy longevity in the future.
#aging #revealed