Cellular Senescence
Also: Cell Senescence
A cell state where a cell permanently stops dividing, often after damage or stress.
Cellular senescence is a protective response in which a cell exits the cell cycle and stops multiplying. It can be triggered by DNA damage, repeated cell division, oncogenic stress, or other forms of cellular stress.
The process can be useful in the short term because it can stop damaged cells from turning cancerous. Problems arise when senescent cells are not cleared and begin accumulating with age.
Worth Knowing
Readers sometimes treat cellular senescence as the same thing as senescent cells. Senescence is the state or process. Senescent cells are the cells in that state.
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Research publication: Definitions reflect current research status and are for educational purposes. This is not medical advice.