October 2024 Issue

Editor’s Spot: Biomarkers of Cellular Senescence
By Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
Today’s Dietitian
Vol. 26 No. 8 P. 6

From calorie restriction to novel nutraceuticals, the role of nutrition in cellular aging and senescence is a hotbed of scientific interest. But how do researchers gauge whether a given intervention may slow biological aging on a cellular level? Many may wonder how scientists are measuring biomarkers of cellular senescence and what these biomarkers are all about.

Cell senescence, which is the stable and irreversible growth arrest of cells, is often associated with aging, DNA damage, degenerative disorders, tumor growth regulation, wound healing, and tissue repair.1 This process is nuanced in its biological purpose, contributing to aging and age-related diseases but also offering some protection against neoplasia.1

Though many biomarkers of senescence are on researchers’ radar, some in the spotlight include certain interleukins, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and sclerostin, to name just a few.2

Interleukins modulate growth, differentiation, and activation during inflammatory and immune responses.3 MMPs are enzymes that contribute to the degradation and turnover of extracellular matrix proteins like collagen and have been associated with cancer metastasis, chronic inflammation, and tissue damage.4 RAGE may interact with products produced by stressed or damaged cells and has been associated with infections, inflammation, and cardiometabolic disorders.5 Sclerostin is a glycoprotein produced by mature osteocytes and is a critical regulator of bone formation. Genetics, environmental factors, age, sex, BMI, and total body fat content all influence levels of sclerostin. Loss of bone mass with age is also associated with increased expression of sclerostin in osteocytes.6

In this month’s issue, Today’s Dietitian features the article “Cracking the Code to Cell Senescence.” In it, we discuss the unfolding research on cellular senescence, including nutrition and dietary factors that may influence cell cycle arrest and the intriguing role of the microbiome.

Also in this issue are articles on nutrition strategies and approaches for addressing the needs of underserved communities, including homelessness and nutrition, as well as CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplementation.

I hope you enjoy this month’s edition!

— Heather Davis, MS, RDN, LDN
TDeditor@gvpub.com

References
1. Kudlova N, De Sanctis JB, Hajduch M. Cellular senescence: molecular targets, biomarkers, and senolytic drugs. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(8):4168.

2. Aversa Z, White TA, Heeren AA, et al. Calorie restriction reduces biomarkers of cellular senescence in humans. Aging Cell. 2024;23(2):e14038.

3. Akdis M, Aab A, Altunbulakli C, et al. Interleukins (from IL-1 to IL-38), interferons, transforming growth factor β, and TNF-α: receptors, functions, and roles in diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;138(4):984-1010.

4. Klein T, Bischoff R. Physiology and pathophysiology of matrix metalloproteases. Amino Acids. 2011;41(2):271-290.

5. Erusalimsky JD. The use of the soluble receptor for advanced glycation-end products (sRAGE) as a potential biomarker of disease risk and adverse outcomes. Redox Biol. 2021;42:101958.

6. Omran A, Atanasova D, Landgren F, Magnusson P. Sclerostin: from molecule to clinical biomarker. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(9):4751.