Fisetin extends lifespan in a murine model of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB) is a rare genodermatosis characterized clinically by extensive inflammation, cutaneous destruction, and fibrosis that demonstrates properties similar to rapid skin aging. As tissue ages, it accumulates cellular damage and exhaustion leading to a state of senescence. Cellular senescence is an aging or disease-related phenomenon of stable exit from the cell cycle that leads to an increased inflammatory phenotype. RDEB and other EB subsets of patients need an adjunct to or alternate therapy that addresses the issues of inflammation, pain, and pruritus. Fisetin is a safe, naturally occurring compound proven to be effective at sensitizing senescent cells to cell death and ameliorating senescence-associated inflammation. In this paper, we demonstrate fisetin’s ability to increase survival and reduce senescent cell burden in a hypomorphic mouse model of RDEB.