Christopher Root

BIOL-1090 Timmins

October 29, 2017

News Analysis 2: Zombie Cells

The catchy headline To stay young, kill zombie cells along with a picture of an
anthropomorphized cell as a zombie is clearly written and delivered at this particular time of year to
draw clicks. However, anti-aging is a ubiquitous human fascination as evidenced by the fame of Ponce
De Leons magical fountain. In this article, the claim is made that killing off cells which are still able to
provide basic cellular functions other than dividing, such as metabolism, new tissue production may be
stimulated which could reverse the aging process. These cells, termed senescent cells, have been
damaged in some fashion and the immune response to prevent replication errors is to stop dividing.
After time, these cells begin to accumulate and secrete cytokines resulting in maladies such as
osteoarthritis, inflammation of the joints, and atherosclerosis (Scudellari 2017). The study includes
transgenic mice which were aging rapidly due to an excess of senescent cells, and drugs used to
eliminate them which are known as senolytics which has been shown to restore fitness, fur density,
kidney function, improve lung disease, and even mend damaged cartilage (Jeon 2017). In the year 2016,
a test was performed in mice with advanced aging to delay the deterioration of organs (including the
kidney and heart), and the result was an incredible increase in the lifespan of these animals -
approximately 25%!

The impact on society would be gargantuan if senolytics and similar variations were to prove
successful. The average age of those willing or able to work would continue to rise, and the current
retirement and Social Security models would require re-examination. Preventive care through killing
senescent cells would force doctors and hospitals to completely rethink treatment methodology. These
types of drugs would also be extremely attractive because they are used preventively and periodically.
Unlike cancer, there is no need to eliminate all such cells as the mouse studies suggest the destruction is
enough to make a difference. Scientists studying this type of treatment a major concern, despite the
positive feedback received from initial testing. Manuel Serrano of the Institute for Research in
Biomedicine has said We were not sure if they were doing something important. Individuals
considering this solution should be aware that this information is not known and any such trial involving
humans will surely result in unexpected consequences, and it is likely that the drive for survival which is
so inborn to humanity will far surpass any concerns.

Jan van Duersen of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, is the lead researcher involved with the
mice experiments. He, along with James Kirkland (a gerontologist), have formed the company Unity
Biotechnology to study and test various forms of senescent drugs for combatting zombie cells. A quick
Google search reveals their website is funded by many large venture capital firms, both local and
international. Their motivation is one of profit, as they would like to capitalize on years of testing and
research in the efforts to slow, reduce, or reverse the aging process. In my view, this is the convergence
of capitalism and science. In a situation such as this where literally the entire planet and the future of
humanity could be impacted by such developments, it would be difficult to cut corners simply to make a
profit because any negative effects would be widely known. After several searches, I was not able to find
scientists with differing views and the article did not provide any opposing viewpoints. The marketplace
is burgeoning as additional companies have begun to invest in this type of research.

This article was fascinating. As a non-traditional student at 35 years of age learning daily that I
am losing the battle against time, I am always looking for methods to retain my youth. It expanded my
views in that I was never previously aware of senescent cells and the possible market for demand is
obviously limitless. I will admit that the reason I chose my article for the second Current Events writing
was initially due to the pictures I had mentioned previously. The author did an excellent job explaining
their existence and the findings related to experimentation and how it could be applied
pharmaceutically. For example, a diagram explaining senescent cells and their accumulation was shown
along with their destruction. Personally, Im sold on the idea of investing myself, and I think this would
be a common reaction to anyone continuing to lose in the eternal battle between life and death.

Works Cited
Scudellari, Megan. To stay young, kill zombie cells. October 24, 2017. http://www.nature.com/news/to-
stay-young-kill-zombie-cells-1.22872 (accessed October 29, 2017).

Jeon, O. H. et al. Nature Med. 23, 775781 (2017).