Researchers
find a way to delay aging of stem cells
Salk
scientists say their findings may lead to strategies to treat age-related
diseases and improve regenerative medicine.
LA JOLLA, CA—Stem
cells are essential building blocks for all organisms, from plants to humans.
They can divide and renew themselves throughout life, differentiating into the
specialized tissues needed during development, as well as cells necessary to
repair adult tissue.
Therefore,
they can be considered immortal, in that they recreate themselves and
regenerate tissues throughout a person's lifetime, but that doesn't mean they
don't age. They do, gradually losing their ability to effectively maintain
tissues and organs.
Now,
researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have uncovered a
series of biological events that implicate the stem cells' surroundings, known
as their "niche," as the culprit in loss of stem cells due to aging.
Their findings, published May 23rd in Nature, have implications for treatment
of age-related diseases and for the effectiveness of regenerative medicine.
read more: