SnCs that accumulate with age or chronic disease react to PAMPs such as SARS-CoV-2 S1 by amplifying the SASP, which increases viral entry protein expression and decreases viral defense IFITMs in normal cells.

Old mice exposed to pathogens such as the β-coronavirus MHV have increased inflammation and higher mortality. Treatment with a senolytic decreased SnCs, inflammation, and mortality and increased the antiviral antibody response.