title: The number of p16INK4a positive cells in human skin reflects biological age.
abstract: Cellular senescence is a defense mechanism in response to molecular damage which accumulates with aging. Correspondingly, the number of senescent cells has been reported to be greater in older than in younger subjects and furthermore associates with age-related pathologies. Inter-individual differences exist in the rate at which a person ages (biological age). Here, we studied whether younger biological age is related to fewer senescent cells in middle-aged individuals with the propensity for longevity, using p16INK4a as a marker for cellular senescence. We observed that a younger biological age associates with lower levels of p16INK4a positive cells in human skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mariëtte E C
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Waaijer
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Parish
authors.forename: Barbara H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Strongitharm
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: van Heemst
authors.forename: Pieternella E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Slagboom
authors.forename: Anton J M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: de Craen
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sedivy
authors.forename: Rudi G J
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Westendorp
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gunn
authors.forename: Andrea B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Maier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16