Function · Nov 3, 2026

Senescence “telephone” following ACL tears: a new role for macrophages

By Meyer GA

Muscle atrophy following orthopaedic injury is a nearly ubiquitous hindrance to functional recovery. This perspective discusses new research that suggests that senescent macrophages, which infiltrate the quadriceps muscle acutely after ACL injury in mice, may contribute to atrophy and fibrosis by propagating senescence. The intriguing possibility that these senescent macrophages are shared across musculoskeletal tissues combined with evidence that clearance of senescent cells by senolytics improves both skeletal muscle and cartilage, points to senescent macrophages as a promising early therapeutic target worthy of further exploration.

doi.org/10.1152/function.90006.2026PubMed 42974932Mechanisms