Stress causes a cascade of events in the body. At the cellular level, the transcription factor p53 also responds to stress, preventing normal cells from becoming cancer cells. Another transcription factor, FOXO4, also plays an important role. Under stress conditions, these proteins interact and together increase the production of the p21 protein, causing cells to enter a senescent or ageing state. The accumulation of such cells contributes to the aging of the organism. 

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