Cellular senescence and liver disease: Mechanisms and therapeutic strategies

Cellular senescence is a fundamental cell fate caused by several cellular injuries which results in irreversible cell cycle arrest yet remaining metabolically active across all species. Cellular senescence not only can prevent tumor occurrence by inhibiting the proliferation of injured cells, but also can affect the surrounding cells through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Attractively, accumulating evidence shows that cellular senescence is closely related to various liver diseases. Therapeutic opportunities based on targeting senescent cells and the SASP are considered to be potential strategy for liver diseases. However, although research on cell senescence has attracted widespread attention, the overview on detailed mechanism and biological function of cell senescence in liver disease is still largely unknown. The present review summarizes the specific role of cell senescence in various liver diseases, and updates the molecular mechanisms underlying cell senescence. Moreover, the review also explores new strategies for prevention and treatment of liver disease through promoting senescence or counteracting excessive pathological senescence.