Targeting Mitochondria to Control Ageing and Senescence

• Published in: Pharmaceutics Vol. 15; no. 2; p. 352
• Main Authors: Protasoni, Margherita, Serrano, Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 20.01.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: ageing; Aging; Apoptosis; Biology; Cells; cellular senescence; DNA polymerase; Health aspects; Hypotheses; Immune system; Inflammation; Metabolism; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial DNA; mitochondrial targeting; Mutation; Neutrophils; novel therapeutic approaches; Peptides; Physiological aspects; Review; Senescence; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Tumors; Spain; ageing; cellular senescence; mitochondrial targeting; novel therapeutic approaches
• ISSN: 1999-4923; 1999-4923
• DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020352

Ageing is accompanied by a progressive impairment of cellular function and a systemic deterioration of tissues and organs, resulting in increased vulnerability to multiple diseases. Here, we review the interplay between two hallmarks of ageing, namely, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence. The targeting of specific mitochondrial features in senescent cells has the potential of delaying or even reverting the ageing process. A deeper and more comprehensive understanding of mitochondrial biology in senescent cells is necessary to effectively face this challenge. Here, we discuss the main alterations in mitochondrial functions and structure in both ageing and cellular senescence, highlighting the differences and similarities between the two processes. Moreover, we describe the treatments available to target these pathways and speculate on possible future directions of anti-ageing and anti-senescence therapies targeting mitochondria.