The role of senescence in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation: A target process for health improvement and drug development

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Abstract

Cellular senescence is a state of growth arrest that occurs after cells encounter various stresses. Senescence contributes to tumour suppression, embryonic development, and wound healing. It impacts on the pathology of various diseases by secreting inflammatory chemokines, immune modulators and other bioactive factors. These secretory biosignatures ultimately cause inflammation, tissue fibrosis, immunosenescence and many ageing-related diseases such as atrial fibrillation (AF). Because the molecular mechanisms underpinning AF development remain unclear, current treatments are suboptimal and have serious side effects. In this review, we summarize recent results describing the role of senescence in AF. We propose that senescence factors induce AF and have a causative role. Hence, targeting senescence and its secretory phenotype may attenuate AF.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101363
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalAgeing research reviews
Volume69
Early online date21 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 1 Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
TSR acknowledges funding from PHA/HSC R&D Division (COM/5618/20) and the Western Health & Social Care Trust. The NI Centre for Stratified Medicine has been funded by a grant to AB under the EU Regional Development Fund EU Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for NI & the NI Public Health Agency. GG is recipient of Vice-Chancellor's Research Studentship from Ulster University.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Keywords

  • Ageing
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial fibrosis
  • Senescence

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