Cited by 1,428Telomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model OrganismsCell death mechanisms and regulation

Programmed cell senescence during mammalian embryonic development

Open access
Muñoz-Espín, Daniel, Cañamero, Marta, Maraver, Antonio, Gómez-López, Gonzalo, Contreras, Julio, Murillo-Cuesta, Silvia, Rodríguez-Baeza, Alfonso, Varela-Nieto, Isabel +3 more·2013·Cell

Abstract

Cellular senescence disables proliferation in damaged cells, and it is relevant for cancer and aging. Here, we show that senescence occurs during mammalian embryonic development at multiple locations, including the mesonephros and the endolymphatic sac of the inner ear, which we have analyzed in detail. Mechanistically, senescence in both structures is strictly dependent on p21, but independent of DNA damage, p53, or other cell-cycle inhibitors, and it is regulated by the TGF-β/SMAD and PI3K/FOXO pathways. Developmentally programmed senescence is followed by macrophage infiltration, clearance of senescent cells, and tissue remodeling. Loss of senescence due to the absence of p21 is partially compensated by apoptosis but still results in detectable developmental abnormalities. Importantly, the mesonephros and endolymphatic sac of human embryos also show evidence of senescence. We conclude that the role of developmentally programmed senescence is to promote tissue remodeling and propose that this is the evolutionary origin of damage-induced senescence.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2013.10.019

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  • Recent reports showed a beneficial role for the SASP during embryonic development and in limiting fibrosis after tissue injury.

    “recent reports showed a beneficial role for the SASP during embryonic development (Muñoz-Espín et al., 2013; Storer et al., 2013) and a role in limiting fibrosis after tissue injury (Jun and Lau, 2010; Krizhanovsky et al., 2008).”

    From An Essential Role for Senescent Cells in Optimal Wound Healing through Secretion of PDGF-AA (2014) · cites this paper as Muñoz-Espín et al., 2013

    The Clearance of Senescent Cells and Compensatory Mechanisms section (page unavailable) reports that developmental senescence triggers macrophage-mediated elimination of embryonic mesonephric tubules. The Introduction describes how the SASP can promote tissue remodeling, but the paper does not establish that the SASP specifically causes the beneficial developmental effects. The fibrosis clause is cited to other papers in the citing sentence, not to Muñoz-Espín et al. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • Senescence can occur in a programmed way and contribute to mammalian embryonic development and tissue patterning, mainly through p21, p15 and SASP mediators rather than overt DDR signalling.

    “it was reported that senescence occurs in a programmed manner and contributes to mammalian embryonic development and tissue patterning, although mainly via induction of p21, p15 and mediators of the SASP rather than through overt DDR signalling131,132.”

    From Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities (2021) · cites this paper as [132]

    The Essential Role of p21 section reports programmed senescence during embryonic development, tissue remodeling, dependence on p21, and no detectable DNA-damage signaling. But the Developmentally Programmed Senescence Requires p21 Independently of p53 section explicitly excludes a relevant role for p15; the cited passages do not establish SASP mediators as a main mechanism. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • A distinct form of cellular senescence occurs in the mammalian developing embryo and placenta to control growth and patterning.

    “A distinct form of cellular senescence occurs in the mammalian developing embryo and in the placenta to control growth and patterning131,132,142,143.”

    From Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities (2021) · cites this paper as [132]

    The Abstract and Introduction report a distinct, developmentally programmed form of senescence in mammalian embryos. The Abstract links it to tissue remodeling and developmental abnormalities, supporting a role in embryonic development. The passages do not establish senescence in the placenta or a placental role in growth and patterning. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • NK cells, T cells and macrophages can physically interact with senescent cells in both pathological and physiological conditions.

    “Among these cell types, NK cells, T cells and macrophages can physically interact with senescent cells in pathological and physiological conditions131,132,145,150,153–156.”

    From Cellular senescence in ageing: from mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities (2021) · cites this paper as [132]

    The “Clearance of Senescent Cells and Compensatory Mechanisms” section reports that macrophages surround senescent embryonic tubules and describes macrophage clearance of senescent tumor cells. It does not establish the claimed physical interactions involving NK cells or T cells. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Cellular senescence has beneficial roles in tissue remodelling during embryogenesis and wound healing.

    “Cellular senescence, a stress-induced irreversible growth arrest often characterized by p16 Ink4a expression and a distinctive secretory phenotype, prevents the proliferation of preneoplastic cells and has beneficial roles in tissue remodelling during embryogenesis and wound healing.”

    From Naturally occurring p16Ink4a-positive cells shorten healthy lifespan (2016) · cites this paper as [9]

    The Abstract concludes that developmentally programmed senescence promotes tissue remodeling during embryogenesis. The Additional information section proposes that senescence was later adapted to aid tissue regeneration and healing after damage in adults, but does not establish a beneficial role in wound healing. Page numbers are not provided for these passages. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Muñoz-Espín, D., Cañamero, M., Maraver, A., Gómez-López, G., Contreras, J., Murillo-Cuesta, S., Rodríguez-Baeza, A., Varela-Nieto, I., Ruberte, J., Collado, M., & Serrano, M.
Affiliations
  • Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (ES)
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
Corresponding author
Serrano, Manuel
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-11
Volume
155
Issue
5
Pages
1104-1118
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2090067193
Cited by
1,428
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 92 · 2025: 117 · 2024: 121 · 2023: 134 · 2022: 143 · 2021: 140 · 2020: 160 · 2019: 98 · 2018: 119 · 2017: 90 · 2016: 94 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 55 · 2013: 6
FWCI
49.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
  • LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • RUNA. Repositorio Institucional del Sergas (Servicio Gallego de Salud (SERGAS)) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • European Commission
  • Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF2011-24391)
  • Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
Keywords
embryonic development, p21, mesonephros, endolymphatic sac, TGF-β/Smad signaling, macrophage infiltration, apoptosis, human embryo
MeSH terms
Animals, Embryo, Mammalian, Endolymphatic Sac, Female, Humans, Kidney, Male, Mesonephros, Signal Transduction, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Cellular Senescence, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases, Embryonic Development, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21, Mice, Smad Proteins

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