Cellular senescence in tissue repair: every cloud has a silver lining

Abstract

Cellular senescence, a form of stable cell cycle arrest induced by cellular stress, constitutes a major factor leading to the promotion of pathologies and physiological decays that take place during ageing. However, in recent years evidence has started to emerge supporting a positive role for senescent cells in various physiological processes, from embryonic development to tissue injury responses such as wound healing and tissue repair. Here, we provide an overview of cellular senescence, its negative as well as positive outcomes, with a focus on its impact on tissue repair. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that cell senescence could contribute to the regeneration of complex structures and explore recent findings with respect to their potential for therapeutic application.