Aging Hematopoietic Stem Cells Decline in Function and Exhibit Epigenetic Dysregulation
2007
Aging and Its Effects on Blood Stem Cells
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Stuart Chambers, Margaret Goodell
Hypothesis
Do aging hematopoietic stem cells exhibit functional decline and epigenetic dysregulation?
Conclusion
Aging hematopoietic stem cells show increased numbers but decreased regenerative capacity and functional decline.
Supporting Evidence
- Aging hematopoietic stem cells show increased numbers but decreased regenerative capacity.
- Genes involved in inflammation become more active with age, while those for genomic integrity become less active.
- Transcriptional activity changes with age, affecting many genes involved in cellular functions.
Takeaway
As we get older, our blood stem cells can increase in number but don't work as well, which might make it harder for our bodies to heal.
Methodology
The researchers analyzed gene expression profiles of hematopoietic stem cells from mice of different ages using microarrays.
Participant Demographics
Mice aged 2 to 21 months were used in the study.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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