Figure 1.

Senescent cells are in a primed apoptotic status. In normal cells, the expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes is in a well-balanced condition. In senescent cells, the expression of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic genes is abnormally upregulated (expressed in bold) and temporarily balanced, leading to primed apoptotic status for senescent cells. Decreasing expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bcl-w by senolytics disrupts the balance in senescent cells, leading to apoptotic cell death.