Graft versus Host Disease: From Basic Pathogenic Principles to DNA Damage Response and Cellular Senescence

Figure 3

Besides other factors, cytokines released in response to DNA damage give rise to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These cytokines reinforce the senescent phenotype via positive feedback loops (IL-6 and IL-8), which help maintain the senescent phenotype. Also, SASP causes the surrounding undamaged cycling cells to irreversibly arrest cycling and become senescent, a phenomenon called by-stander senescence.