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A drug designed to eliminate aging and damaged cells has helped older mice repair skin wounds more effectively, raising the possibility of a new treatment strategy for slow-healing wounds in older adults.
Researchers found that five days of treatment with ABT-263 reduced the number of senescent cells in aged skin before an injury occurred. By day 24 after wounds were created, 80% of treated mice had completely healed, compared with 56% of untreated aged mice. The findings were reported in the journal Aging.
Senescent cells are damaged or stressed cells that stop dividing but remain alive. As they accumulate with age, they can release molecules that promote inflammation and disrupt the normal processes involved in tissue repair.
ABT-263 belongs to a class of experimental drugs called senolytics, which are designed to selectively remove senescent cells. The Boston University researchers wanted to determine whether applying the drug directly to aging skin could reduce these cells and improve the tissue’s response to injury.
The team applied ABT-263 topically to the skin of aged mice for five days before creating small wounds. The treated skin showed fewer markers of cellular senescence, followed by faster wound closure.
The treatment also produced a temporary increase in inflammatory activity. While excessive or prolonged inflammation can delay healing, a controlled inflammatory response is an important early stage of normal wound repair. The researchers found that this short-lived response appeared to activate processes involved in tissue regeneration.
ABT-263 also increased the activity of genes associated with collagen production and new blood vessel formation. Collagen provides structural support to healing tissue, while newly formed blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients needed for repair.
The effects were primarily observed in aged skin, where senescent cells are more abundant. Researchers also noted that applying the drug directly to the skin could potentially limit exposure elsewhere in the body compared with systemic treatment.
The study’s authors described topical senolytic treatment as a potentially promising approach for improving wound healing in aging skin, including before surgery.
However, the findings are still limited to mice. It remains unknown whether topical ABT-263 will be safe or provide similar benefits in humans. Clinical studies will be required to determine its effectiveness and potential side effects.
If future research confirms the results, targeting senescent cells could become a new way to improve the ability of aging skin to recover from injuries and medical procedures.
