Abstract
Aging is characterized by a status of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation called “inflammaging”, that represents a leading cause of diseases typical of advanced age. Among the causes responsible for the induction of this status, the accumulation of senescent cells in the body play a relevant role. This chapter summarizes the features of senescent cells, how they are induced and maintained in the body and how they can contribute to the development and pathogenicity of several age-associated diseases. The characteristics of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, SASP, the major communication tool between senescent cells and the microenvironment, are also reported, showing that the SASP can be either beneficial or deleterious. Finally, therapeutic interventions with senolytics and senomorphics to counteract the effects of senescent cells and the SASP are summarized.