Robust Tools to Characterise, Quantify and Target Senescent Cells
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Cellular senescence is a complex, multi-dimensional phenotype that cannot be captured by a single assay. Its accurate assessment requires the integration of multiple complementary biomarkers, spanning cell cycle arrest, morphological alterations, DNA damage, chromatin remodelling and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). |
Multi-Parametric Tools Aligned with Senescence Hallmarks
To support rigorous and reproducible senescence research, Tebubio has curated a comprehensive portfolio of validated tools aligned with established senescence hallmarks (Figure 1).
This integrated approach enables precise identification and quantification of senescent cells across in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models, while supporting translational studies targeting ageing and age-related diseases.
Figure 1: Hallmarks of Senescence.
1. Morphological Changes
2. DNA Damage
3. Cell Cycle Arrest
4. Senescence-Associated Secretary Phenotype (SASP)
5. Targeting Cellular Senescence and SASP
Hallmarks of Cellular Senescence – Product Guide
1. Morphological Changes
1.1 Nuclear Morphology Measurement
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleolus Bright Green | N511-10 | Fluorescent small molecules binding nucleolar RNA. Nucleolus enlargement is a hallmark of senescent cells. Detection: Microscopy / Fixed cells. |
| Nucleolus Bright Red | N512-10 | Alternative spectral option for multiplex imaging. Detection: Microscopy / Fixed cells. |
| G-actin/F-actin In Vivo Assay Kit | BK037 | Semi-quantitative assessment of G:F actin ratio. Nuclear/perinuclear G-actin accumulation is observed in senescent cells. Detection: Western blot / Cell lysates, tissues. |
1.2 Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase Staining (SA-β-Gal)
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| Cellular Senescence Detection Kit – SPiDER-βGal | SG03-10 | High cell permeability and intracellular retention. Sensitive detection of SA-β-Gal at pH 6.0. Detection: Microscopy, Flow Cytometry / Live or Fixed cells. |
| Cellular Senescence Detection Kit – SPiDER Blue | SG07-10 | Blue fluorescence option for multiplexing. Detection: Microscopy, Flow Cytometry, Plate Reader / Fixed cells. |
| Cellular Senescence Plate Assay Kit – SPiDER-βGal | SG05 | Optimised for plate-based quantification. Detection: Plate Reader / Live cells. |
| SPiDER-βGal | SG02-10 | Suitable for tissue sections. Detection: Microscopy / Tissues. |
| Cellular Senescence Activity Assay Kit | KA6035 | Fluorogenic β-Gal substrate with enhanced sensitivity for live-cell detection. Detection: Microscopy, Flow Cytometry / Live cells. |
| 4-MUG Substrate | 4-MUG | Versatile fluorogenic substrate converted to 4-methylumbelliferone. Detection: Microscopy. |
2. DNA Damage
2.1 Hypomethylation
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| EasySC DNA Methylation Kit | D200 | One-step DNA denaturation and bisulfite conversion. Suitable for NGS, PCR, microarrays. Detection: Spin-column based. |
| EasyMag DNA Methylation Kit | D201 | Magnetic bead-based workflow for high-throughput methylation analysis. Detection: Magnetic beads. |
| 5-Methylcytosine Quantification Kit | QMEDIP-M5C | Quantifies global 5mC loss associated with senescence. Detection: qPCR. |
| 5-Methylcytosine ELISA Kit | EIA | Alternative quantitative format. Detection: ELISA. |
2.2 Histone Modification
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| CUTANAâ„¢ CUT&Tag Kit | 14-1103 / 14-1102 | Antibody-targeted chromatin profiling without cross-linking or IP. Low background, high-resolution detection of histone modifications or chromatin-bound proteins. Detection: Sequencing. |
| CUTANAâ„¢ CUT&RUN Kit | 14-1001 / 14-1002 | Precise mapping of histone modifications and chromatin-associated proteins. Detection: Sequencing. |
2.3 Chromatin Compaction
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| HK EGFP-H2B Cells | 300673 | Genetically modified Hela Kyoto cell line expressing EGFP-H2B fusion protein. Enables real-time analysis of chromatin compaction and nuclear processes. Detection: Microscopy / Cell line. |
2.4 DNA Synthesis
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| EdU Cell Proliferation Imaging Assay Kit | Imaging Kit ClickTech EdU | Senescent cells are EdU-negative. Highly photostable click chemistry detection. Detection: In vitro fluorescence microscopy. |
| EdU Cell Proliferation Flow Cytometry Assay Kit | FC Kit ClickTech EdU | Quantitative assessment of DNA synthesis. Detection: In vitro flow cytometry. |
| EdU Cell Proliferation High Throughput Screening | ClickTech EdU | Scalable format for screening applications. Detection: In vitro high-throughput screening. |
| In Vivo EdU Cell Proliferation Assay for Imaging | In Vivo ClickTech EdU | EdU incorporation in vivo. Detection: Fluorescence microscopy. |
| In Vivo EdU Cell Proliferation Assay for Flow Cytometry | In Vivo ClickTech EdU | EdU incorporation in vivo. Detection: Flow cytometry. |
| In Vivo EdU Cell Proliferation Assay for High-throughput Screening | In Vivo ClickTech EdU | EdU incorporation in vivo. Detection: High-throughput screening. |
3. Cell Cycle Arrest
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| THUNDERâ„¢ Phospho-p53 (S15) + Total p53 | THUNDER | TR-FRET-based intracellular quantification. Detection: Adherent & suspension cells. |
| Human p16INK4a ELISA Kit | ELH-CDKN2A | Quantitative measurement of p16INK4a, key senescence marker. Detection: ELISA / Serum, plasma, supernatants. |
| Cell Cycle Assay Solution Deep Red | C548-10 | Determines G0/G1, S and G2/M phase distribution. Detection: Flow cytometry / Live or fixed cells. |
4. Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP)
| Product Description | Reference | Highlights / Detection |
|---|---|---|
| Human IL-6 Kits | IL-6 | IL-6 sustains intracrine senescence signalling. Detection: ELISA / CLIA / ELISpot. |
| Human IL-8 Kits | IL-8 | Key SASP cytokine maintaining senescence. Detection: ELISA / CLIA / ELISpot. |
| Human Inflammation Array | QAH-INF-1 | Multiplex quantitative detection of ≥10 inflammatory mediators. Customisable arrays. Detection: Quantibody® ELISA array. |
| CXCL1 Detection Kit | CXCL1 | Neutrophil recruitment and chronic inflammation marker. Detection: ELISA, TR-FRET, qPCR. |
| CCL2/MCP-1 Detection Kit | CCL2, MCP-1 | Immune cell recruitment and inflammageing driver. Detection: ELISA, TR-FRET, qPCR. |
| Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) Detection Kits | MMP-1, MMP-7, MMP-9 | ECM remodelling enzymes upregulated in senescence. Detection: ELISA, TR-FRET, qPCR. |
Biomarker Quantification & Custom Assay Services
Accelerate your senescence research with Tebubio’s biomarker quantification services. Our CRO team supports your projects with tailor-made assay development and execution, from SASP profiling and senescence marker quantification to pathway-focused biomarker mapping to streamline your experimental workflow, reduce development time, and generate robust, reproducible data for your research.
Figure 2. Components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including cytokines, chemokines, proteases and growth factors
5. Targeting Cellular Senescence and SASP
Targeting cellular senescence is now a central strategy in ageing and disease-related research. Two complementary therapeutic approaches have emerged. Senolytics selectively induce apoptosis in senescent cells, reducing senescent cell burden and improving tissue function. In contrast, senomorphics modulate pathological SASP signalling by inhibiting SASP production or activity without eliminating senescent cells (Figure 2).
These strategies aim to mitigate chronic inflammation, preserve tissue homeostasis and improve resilience to age-associated pathologies.
5.1 Senolytics
| Compound | Mechanism / Target |
|---|---|
| 17-AAG | HSP90 inhibitor |
| ABT-263 (Navitoclax) | Bcl-2 family inhibitor |
| ABT-737 | Bcl-2 family inhibitor |
| BPTES | Glutaminase GLS1 inhibitor |
| Cycloastragenol | Telomerase activator |
| Dasatinib | Src kinase inhibitor |
| Enzastaurin | PKC / PI3K-Akt inhibitor |
| JQ1 | BRD4 inhibitor |
5.2 Senomorphics
| Senomorphic Compound | Mechanism / Target |
|---|---|
| BAY 11-7082 | IKK inhibitor |
| FK866 HCl | NAMPT inhibitor |
| I-BET762 | BET Bromodomain inhibitor |
| Metformin HCl | AMPK activator |
| ML324 | KDM4 histone demethylase inhibitor |
| Rapamycin | mTOR inhibitor |
| Ruxolitinib | JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor |
| SB 203580 | p38MAP kinase inhibitor |
| SR9009 | REV-ERB agonist |
| SRT1720 HCl | SIRT1 activator |
| Zileuton | 5-LO inhibitor |
5.3 Senescence Inducers
| Senescence Inducer | Mechanism / Target |
|---|---|
| 2’,3’-cGAMP | Endogenous STING agonist |
| Abemaciclib | CDK4/6 inhibitor |
| Actinomycin D | Transcription inhibitor |
| Aphidicolin | DNA polymerase inhibitor |
| Decitabine | DNA hypomethylation agent |
| Doxorubicin | DNA damaging agent |
| BIBR1532 | Telomerase inhibitor |
| Bleomycin | DNA double-strand break inducer |
| Daunorubicin HCl | DNA damaging agent |
| Entinostat | HDAC inhibitor |
| Etoposide | Topoisomerase II inhibitor |
| Ingenol-3-angelate | PKC activator |
| JPH203 | LAT1 inhibitor |
| Mitomycin C | DNA damaging agent |
| Nutlin-3 | MDM2 antagonist |
| OSS-128167 | SIRT6 inhibitor |
| PMA | PKC activator |
| Ribociclib | CDK4/6 inhibitor |
| RITA | p53 activator |
| SN-38 | Topoisomerase I inhibitor |
| Temozolomide | Autophagy inducer |
| Tenovin-1 | SIRT1/2 inhibitor |
| WM-1119 | KAT6A HAT inhibitor |
Beyond Products: Tebubio as Your Research Partner
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Broad portfolio of validated antibodies covering senescence-relevant targets
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qRT-PCR reagents for SASP and senescence gene expression analysis
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Biomarker Quantification Services to accelerate complex projects
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Local scientific support teams to help design robust, multi-parametric workflows
Discuss Your Senescence Research Strategy
Contact your nearest Tebubio office to discuss your senescence research strategy.
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References
Figures 1 & 2: Muthamil S, Kim HY, Jang HJ, Lyu JH, Shin UC, Go Y, Park SH, Lee HG, Park JH. “Biomarkers of Cellular Senescence and Aging: Current State-of-the-Art, Challenges and Future Perspectives." Adv Biol (Weinh). 2024 Sep;8(9):e2400079. doi: 10.1002/adbi.202400079. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38935557.
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