Developmental cell

Senescent cells stay alive by breaking apart while attached, which helps spread cell fragments

Updated

Abstract

Senescent cells dispose of large fragments termed senescent-cell adhesion fragments (SCAFs), which are found in various senescent states.

  • SCAFs are present in both human and mouse senescent cells, as well as in mouse tissues.
  • These fragments lack nuclear material but contain damaged organelles, including mitochondria.
  • Disruption of cell adhesion decreases SCAF formation but leads to senescent cell death due to the retention of damaged mitochondria.
  • Live imaging and proteomics reveal that SCAFs eventually rupture, releasing a complex mixture of proteins associated with damage.
  • SCAFs are linked to the activation of processes related to wound healing and cancer, promoting cell migration and invasion.
  • Immunostaining shows that senescent cells contain amyloid-like material that can be released through fragmentation.

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