Nanoparticles to target senescent cells

Cellular senescence is characterized by irreversible cell cycle arrest with secretory features, macromolecular damage, and altered metabolism. Senescent cells (SCs) have been detected in many different physiological contexts, including embryogenesis, cellular reprogramming, tissue regeneration, wound healing, immunosurveillance, and tumor suppression, and at all stages of life. However, during aging, SCs accumulate in tissues and participate in age-related pathologies. Therefore, research is focused on finding a new generation of therapies aimed at eliminating SCs that would improve health span and increase longevity. Although there are already therapies that use senolytics to eliminate SCs, due to the toxic and off-target effects, the clinical application is still restricted, thus it is necessary to develop new strategies that limit the effects only to SCs. In this study, an innovative formulation of nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulating a senolytic drug will be tested in different types of vascular cells gamma radiation induced senescence, by exploiting their impaired lysosome. Overall, promising results were obtained from this new formulation, paving the way for the possibility of investigating the mechanism of action of these NPs at the lysosomal level.