A Fluorophore-Conjugated Reagent Enabling Rapid Detection, Isolation and Live Tracking of Senescent Cells.

Cellular senescence is a stress-response mechanism implicated in various physiological processes, dis-eases, and aging. Current detection approaches have partially addressed the issue of senescent cell identi-fication in clinical specimens. Effective methodologies enabling precise isolation or live tracking of senescent cells are still lacking. In-depth analysis of truly senescent cells is, therefore, an extremely challenging task. We report (1) the synthesis and validation of a fluorophore-conjugated, Sudan Black-B analog (GLF16), suit-able for in vivo and in vitro analysis of senescence by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry and (2) the development and application of a GLF16-carrying micelle vector facilitating GLF16 uptake by living senes-cent cells in vivo and in vitro. The compound and the applied methodology render isolation of senescent cells an easy, rapid, and precise process. Straightforward nanocarrier-mediated GLF16 delivery in live senescent cells comprises a unique tool for characterization of senescence at an unprecedented depth.