Cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of stem cell aging depend on telomere status.
The function of adult stem cells declines during aging and chronic diseases. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes will help to identify targets for future therapies in order to improve regenerative reserve and organ maintenance. Telomere shortening represents a cell intrinsic mechanism inducing DNA damage in aging cells. Current studies in telomerase knockout mice have shown that telomere dysfunction induces cell intrinsic checkpoints and environmental alteration that limit stem cell function. While these phenotypes differ from wild-type mice with long telomere reserves, they appear to be relevant for human aging, which is associated with an accumulation of telomere dysfunction and DNA damage.
Song
Zhangfa
Z
Institute of Molecular Medicine and Max-Planck-Research Group on Stem Cell Aging, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Ju
Zhenyu
Z
Rudolph
K Lenhard
KL
D000818:Animals; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004249:DNA Damage; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D023421:Models, Animal; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016615:Telomere / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D019098:Telomerase