Targeted Clearance Of Senescent Cells Alleviates Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease By Restoring Cellular Function And Immune Balance
Our bodies contain cells that, instead of dying when they get old or damaged, stop dividing but remain active, often releasing harmful substances. These are often called “senescent cells” or “zombie cells.” As we age, or when organs are under stress, like the liver with chronic alcohol consumption, these senescent cells can accumulate and contribute to disease.
Recent research has shed light on how these persistent cells contribute to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), a serious condition where alcohol damages the liver. This damage often involves increased oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions), inflammation (the body’s immune response gone awry), and scarring (fibrosis).
Scientists investigated whether clearing these senescent cells could make a difference. Using a model of chronic alcohol exposure, they found that removing these “zombie cells” significantly reduced liver damage. This clearance helped to alleviate oxidative stress and the buildup of fats in the liver. Crucially, it also restored a healthier balance in the immune system. For instance, it promoted beneficial changes in immune cells called macrophages, which are key players in inflammation, and reduced the release of harmful factors by senescent cells. Furthermore, the removal of these cells lessened the infiltration of other damaging immune cells and improved the overall function of the immune system, which often declines with age and disease.
These findings suggest that therapies aimed at selectively eliminating senescent cells, known as senolytics, could be a promising new approach to treat alcohol-associated liver disease and other age-related conditions affecting the liver.
Source: link to paper