The essence of senescence
- 1Division of Molecular Genetics, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
- 2Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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↵3 These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract
Almost half a century after the first reports describing the limited replicative potential of primary cells in culture, there is now overwhelming evidence for the existence of “cellular senescence” in vivo. It is being recognized as a critical feature of mammalian cells to suppress tumorigenesis, acting alongside cell death programs. Here, we review the various features of cellular senescence and discuss their contribution to tumor suppression. Additionally, we highlight the power and limitations of the biomarkers currently used to identify senescent cells in vitro and in vivo.
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Footnotes
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↵6 Corresponding author.
E-MAIL d.peeper{at}nki.nl; FAX 31-205122011.
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Article is online at http://www.genesdev.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/gad.1971610.
- Copyright © 2010 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press