As we age, changes occur throughout our bodies that can affect how tissues function and repair themselves. One of these changes is the accumulation of senescent cells, these are cells that have stopped dividing but do not die. While senescence is a natural biological process and can play important roles in wound healing and preventing cancer, problems arise when large numbers of these cells build up over time.
In healthy tissues, the immune system is usually able to identify and remove senescent cells. However, as people age, these cells can accumulate and begin to release a range of inflammatory molecules. This phenomenon, sometimes referred to as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), can contribute to chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
In the lungs, the build-up of senescent cells has been linked to chronic respiratory conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD affects millions of people worldwide and is a major cause of ill health and mortality. Current treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce exacerbations, but they do not directly address many of the underlying biological mechanisms driving disease progression.
This research aims to develop new ways of identifying and targeting senescent cells in the lung. The project uses fluorescent probes which are specialised molecules that emit light when they interact with specific cellular features, to detect characteristics that are unique to senescent cells. By making these cells visible, researchers can better understand where they are located, how they behave, and how they contribute to disease.
Importantly, the same biological features used to identify senescent cells can also be exploited to design more selective therapies. The goal is to develop drug candidates that specifically target senescent cells while minimising effects on healthy surrounding tissue. This could improve treatment effectiveness while reducing unwanted side effects.
If successful, these targeted therapies could represent a new approach to treating chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Rather than simply managing symptoms, they would aim to address one of the biological drivers of disease.
Looking ahead, promising drug candidates may progress to early-stage microdosing studies through the MicroTex Research Hub. These studies could provide valuable information on how therapies behave in human tissues, helping researchers make better-informed decisions earlier in the development process.
By combining innovative imaging tools, targeted drug design, and advanced translational research approaches, this work has the potential to contribute to a future where chronic lung diseases can be treated more precisely and effectively.