Deciphering The Emerging Interrelationship Between Cellular Senescence And Extracellular Vesicles: Implications For Therapy And Diagnosis
Our bodies naturally experience cellular aging, a process where cells stop dividing and accumulate, contributing to age-related decline, tissue malfunction, and chronic inflammation. Intriguingly, these aging cells communicate with others through minuscule packets called extracellular vesicles. These tiny sacs, released by nearly all cells, carry various molecular contents and act as messengers, influencing the behavior of recipient cells. When released by aging cells, these vesicles can spread the aging signal to healthy cells nearby, fostering an environment that promotes tumor growth and widespread inflammation, accelerating the development of chronic conditions. Conversely, vesicles derived from healthy cells, such as stem cells, have shown the ability to halt cellular aging, restore a balanced inflammatory response, and even extend lifespan. Research is also uncovering the potential of these messengers from unexpected sources like gut bacteria and plants to influence aging processes. Furthermore, these tiny communicators are proving useful in understanding how the immune system responds during aging and are being explored as early indicators for diagnosing aging-related conditions. While promising, challenges remain in isolating and utilizing these vesicles effectively for their full therapeutic and diagnostic potential.
Source: link to paper