Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Induces the Aging of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the DNA Damage Response and the p53/p21 Pathway
2011

Wnt Signaling Induces Aging in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Sample size: 5 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Zhang Da-yong, Wang Hai-jie, Tan Yu-zhen

Primary Institution: Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University

Hypothesis

The study investigates how an aged cell-extrinsic environment affects mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) aging and the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in this process.

Conclusion

The study concludes that Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in the aging of MSCs induced by old rat serum, with the DNA damage response and p53/p21 pathway being the main mediators.

Supporting Evidence

  • Old rat serum promotes MSC senescence and reduces their proliferation and survival.
  • Wnt/β-catenin signaling is activated in MSCs treated with old rat serum.
  • Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling reverses the senescence and dysfunction of MSCs.

Takeaway

Old rat serum makes stem cells age faster, and a specific signaling pathway called Wnt/β-catenin is involved in this process.

Methodology

The study used old rat serum to treat mesenchymal stem cells and assessed their aging through various assays including SA-β-gal staining, ROS staining, and MTT assays.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on the effects of old rat serum and may not fully represent other aging factors in different environments.

Participant Demographics

Sprague-Dawley rats aged 12-14 weeks were used as young controls, and rats aged 64-68 weeks were used for the old serum.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021397

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