New insight into the causes, consequences, and correction of hematopoietic stem cell aging

The human lifespan has doubled over the past 200 years reflecting significant progress in sanitation and medicine [1]. However, this increase in lifespan presents us with new socioeconomic and medical challenges. Somatic stem cells, including hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs), are tasked with maintaining, repairing, and replenishing tissues throughout life. Thus, their lifespan, unlike the bulk of cells that make up the human body, equals or exceeds the lifespan of the organism [2,3]. This responsibility for regeneration in combination with their uniquely long lifespan confers vulnerability in the system: age-related decline of stem cell fitness directly impacts organismal quality of life and risk of cancer development [3].
Source: Experimental Hematology - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research