Most cells throughout the body can divide and multiply to replace old cells and repair damaged tissue, but in response to certain stresses, cells can lose their ability to proliferate. These so-called senescent cells accumulate with age and may contribute to cancer and age-related disorders, such as chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, frailty and dementia, by pumping out signals that damage neighboring tissues.
The National Institutes of Health has given two Pitt projects $31 million to create a molecular atlas that could help researchers understand age-related diseases as diverse as cancer and dementia.