OUTLOOK
13 May 2020

Zombie cells hold clues to COPD progression

Researchers are beginning to work out the part senescent cells play in the respiratory disease.

Anthony King⁰

Anthony King
1. Anthony King is a science writer in Dublin.
View author publications

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

A senescent cell is like a classic movie monster — it exists in an ‘undead’ state. It no longer divides, but it is resistant to death. It is also supersized, and produces an unusual number of proteins, many of which stoke inflammation. Almost all cells have the capacity to enter this zombie-like state, given the right circumstances. Radiation exposure, too much or not enough oxygen and certain toxins, such as those found in cigarette smoke, can all provide the spark, says James Kirkland at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who is a leader in the field of cellular senescence.

Access options

Access through your institution

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Learn more

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Nature 581, S7-S9 (2020)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-020-01374-w

This article is part of Nature Outlook: COPD, an editorially independent supplement produced with the financial support of third parties. About this content.

References

Rashid, K. et al. Sci. Rep. 8, 9023 (2018).
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Kim, S.-J. et al. Aging Cell 18, e12914 (2019).
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Houssaini, A. et al. JCI Insight 3, e93203 (2018).
Article Google Scholar
Cheng, X.-Y. et al. Oncotarget 8, 22513–22523 (2017).
PubMed Google Scholar
Justice, J. N. et al. EBioMedicine 40, 554–563 (2019).
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Yin, H.-L. et al. Medicine 96, e6836 (2017).
Article PubMed Google Scholar
Xu, M. et al. Nature Med. 24, 1246–1256 (2018).
Article PubMed Google Scholar