SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype)

Definition

Category: Secretory phenotype

Also known as: SASP, senescent secretome

The mixture of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and proteases secreted by many senescent cells. The SASP drives chronic low-grade inflammation ('inflammaging'), can spread senescence to neighbouring cells, and is the target of senomorphic (as opposed to senolytic) strategies.

Key points

• Senomorphics (e.g. rapamycin, metformin, JAK inhibitors) aim to suppress the SASP without killing the cell — covered in depth on mtorix and linked, not duplicated here.
• Key SASP factors include IL-6, IL-1alpha/beta, IL-8, and various MMPs.
• SASP suppression and senolysis are distinct goals with distinct risk profiles.

Sourcing

Coppe et al.; standard SASP reviews. Senomorphic pharmacology cross-referenced to mtorix.com.

Reference synthesis (tier 4); verification: review_level_2026-07-12.