Absence of replicative senescence in cultured cells from the short-lived killifish Nothobranchius furzeri

► We report a protocol for generation and cultivation of N. furzeri primary cells. ► Markers of cellular senescence are not changed during cultivation in these cells. ► However, γ-irradiation triggers cell cycle arrest and DNA damage response signals. ► Life span of the host strain is not reflected on the cellular level.