Oxidative Stress Caused by Immune Cells Contributes to the Age-Related Decline in Liver Regenerative Capacity

Researchers here provide evidence for the age-related decline in regenerative capacity of the liver to be caused in part by oxidative stress produced by innate immune cells. This makes the adult stem cells responsible for tissue maintenance less likely to activate, but when removed from the tissue environment the cells appear more or less as capable as those of younger individuals. In some other tissues, such as muscle, where stem cell biology is better studied, it is also thought that changes in the surrounding environment rather than internal damage drives the majority of the decline in stem cell activity with aging. This means that therapies capable of activating stem cells in older individuals may prove to be less risky and more useful than would otherwise be the case. Like all the other organs, there are structural and functional changes in the liver during aging, including diminished functions. Notably, a decrease in regenerative capacity in aging liver has been observed in old patients who had severe viral and toxic injury. In addition, studies on liver transplantation in human patients showed lower graft and recipient survival if the donor was in advanced age. Similar results were also observed after liver transplantation in rats. Therefore, investigating the mechanisms of declined regeneration in liver is critical to understand age-associated hepatic pathologies and diseases. Decreased tissue regeneration and homeostasis are frequently associated with...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs