The Senescent Macrophage as a Central Hub in Skeletal Aging: Mechanisms, Niche Disruption, and Systemic Consequences.

Zhe Li, Ying Li, Lei Sui, Chufan Ma

State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China; Department of Stomatology, Air Force Medical Center, Beijing, 100142, China. Electronic address: [email protected] Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China; Department of Stomatology, Air Force Medical Center, Beijing, 100142, China. Electronic address: [email protected]. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) coordinate skeletal remodelling, haematopoietic niche function, immune surveillance, and tissue repair. Whether a persistent senescent state in BMMs is a causal driver of skeletal ageing, however, remains unresolved. The central challenge is both definitional and causal: macrophages may be quiescent, terminally differentiated, chronically activated, tolerant, or metabolically dysfunctional, whereas commonly used senescence markers-including p16

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Research summary

The paper investigates whether a persistent senescent state in bone marrow macrophages is a causal driver of skeletal aging and systemic consequences. This is relevant to longevity research because it addresses the cellular mechanisms of aging (senescence) and their role in tissue degeneration, rather than merely treating the symptoms of osteoporosis or bone loss.

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