UCLA identifies 'zombie cells' reversing liver damage

Researchers at University of California, Los Angeles, led by Anthony Covarrubias and Ivan Salladay-Perez, have identified a population of senescent macrophages, or 'zombie cells,' that accumulate in aging tissues and in the livers of individuals with fatty liver disease. These cells, characterized by the p21 and TREM2 proteins, drive chronic inflammation and liver damage. The study, published in List of Nature Research journals, demonstrated that clearing these cells in mice using the drug Navitoclax dramatically reduced inflammation and reversed liver damage, even without dietary changes. While Navitoclax is too toxic for human use, the findings suggest that targeting senescent macrophages could be a viable therapeutic strategy for human chronic liver disease and potentially other age-related conditions like atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's, and cancer. The research was supported by the United States — National Institutes of Health, the Loo and Hans Osterman Foundation for Medical Research, the American Federation for Aging Research, and the UCLA-UCSD Diabetes Research Center.