Fig. 2: Cellular and molecular signals affect cardiac senescence.
From: Cardiac cell senescence: molecular mechanisms, key proteins and therapeutic targets
Cardiac cell dysfunction occurs in a cell- and tissue-specific manner: EC senescence is associated with atherosclerosis, and fibroblasts show cell cycle inhibition and SASP. Immune cells secrete SASP factors. Cardiomyocytes increase in size and lose contractility. At the molecular level, ROS and inflammation induce DNA damage and telomere shortening, leading to the expression of aging-related genes and SASP.
