Mesothelial cell: A multifaceted model of aging

► Primary cultures of HPMCs display extremely short replicative lifespan in vitro. ► Young HPMCs are highly vulnerable to exogenous oxidative stress. ► Senescent HPMCs accumulate in the peritoneum in vivo. ► There is a correlation between donor age and replicative HPMC lifespan. ► Senescent HPMCs promote the intraperitoneal spread of cancer cells.