title: Senescent intimal foam cells are deleterious at all stages of atherosclerosis.
abstract: Advanced atherosclerotic lesions contain senescent cells, but the role of these cells in atherogenesis remains unclear. Using transgenic and pharmacological approaches to eliminate senescent cells in atherosclerosis-prone low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr-/-) mice, we show that these cells are detrimental throughout disease pathogenesis. We find that foamy macrophages with senescence markers accumulate in the subendothelial space at the onset of atherosclerosis, where they drive pathology by increasing expression of key atherogenic and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In advanced lesions, senescent cells promote features of plaque instability, including elastic fiber degradation and fibrous cap thinning, by heightening metalloprotease production. Together, these results demonstrate that senescent cells are key drivers of atheroma formation and maturation and suggest that selective clearance of these cells by senolytic agents holds promise for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors: Bennett G
authors: BG
authors: Childs
authors: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors: Darren J
authors: DJ
authors: Baker
authors: Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, Netherlands.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Wijshake
authors: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors: Cheryl A
authors: CA
authors: Conover
authors: Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA 94945, USA. Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Campisi
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. vandeursen.jan@mayo.edu.
authors: Jan M
authors: JM
authors: van Deursen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D016207:Cytokines; D011973:Receptors, LDL