Selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, inhibits the replicative senescence of cultured dermal fibroblasts.

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is known to be increased in aged cells. Recent studies suggest that the increased expression of COX-2 may be involved in the pathogenesis of age-associated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. We investigated the role of COX-2 in cell cycle arrest and collagen deficiency during the aging process.