Cellular Senescence And SASP In Bladder Ageing: Mechanisms And Emerging Interventions
As we age, our bodies experience a phenomenon called cellular senescence, where cells stop dividing but remain metabolically active. These “senescent cells” accumulate over time and can negatively impact surrounding tissues and organs. A key characteristic of these aging cells is their “senescence-associated secretory phenotype” (SASP), which means they release a cocktail of molecules, including inflammatory factors, growth factors, and enzymes, into their environment.
In the bladder, the accumulation of these senescent cells and their secreted SASP components can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue remodeling, and fibrosis. This contributes to various bladder dysfunctions commonly observed with aging, such as reduced bladder capacity or increased urgency. Beyond natural aging, this process also plays a role in bladder issues caused by medical treatments like radiation therapy or certain chemotherapy drugs.
Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing new strategies to maintain bladder health. Researchers are exploring interventions that either selectively remove senescent cells (called senolytics) or modify the harmful substances they release (called senomorphics). These approaches hold promise for mitigating age-related bladder problems and improving outcomes for patients undergoing treatments that affect bladder function.
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