Cell surface proteins help immune cells to recognize and kill senescent cells

What is it about?

When cells become senescent they spew out chemicals which can damage our bodies. One of the ways in which our bodies remove these damaged cells is through the immune system. However, not much is known about how immune cells specifically recognize senescent cells. In this paper, we show that when cells become senescent, specific proteins appear on the surface of these cells. These proteins were found to help Natural Killer (NK) cells, a type of immune cell, to identify, bind to and destroy these damaged senescent cells. By creating genetically engineered mice in which the immune cells are defective at recognizing senescent cells, such cells accumulated and caused damage.

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Why is it important?

An accumulation of senescent cells in our bodies are thought to be responsible for many different diseases. This may be due to an age-related impairment in immune function which fails to kill senescent cells. By understanding the normal processes by which immune cells kill senescent cells, drugs may be developed which can boost this immune response. This may help prevent or treat many different diseases caused by senescent cells.