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. 2016 Jul 28;2:16018. doi: 10.1038/npjamd.2016.18

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Role of macrophages in the clearance of senescent cells. Senescent cells secrete proinflammatory mediators, senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors. SASP factors recruit immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils and T cells), which then clear the senescent cells. In addition, CD4+ T cells are known to survey the antigens expressed in premalignant senescent hepatocytes and interact with monocytes/macrophages to clear those senescent cells.115 Note that the biological effects of SASP factors are not limited to the recruitment of immune cells. SASP factors may promote cell proliferation, differentiation and migration as well as extracellular matrix remodeling. Consequently, SASP factors likely contribute to tissue regeneration and healing. However, they may also promote inflammation in age-associated pathologies.