Stem cells exist in order to minimize the number of cells capable of unrestricted replication; most cells in the body are limited in the number of times that they can divide. This limit serves to reduce the risk of cancer – and other severe disruptions that could result from unlimited replication of a malfunctioning cell – to an acceptably low level to enable evolutionary success. Stem cells provide a supply of daughter somatic cells to replace those that are lost over time, due to limited somatic cell replication. In actuality, stem cells spend much of their time in a state of quiescence, without replicating. This is necessary to preserve their function and minimize damage over the course of a lifetime. When forced into excessive activity, stem cells risk …
The State of IL-10 Signaling May Be Important in the Aging of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Stem cells exist in order to minimize the number of cells capable of unrestricted replication; most cells in the body are limited in the number of times that they can divide. This limit serves to reduce the risk of cancer – and other severe disruptions that could result from unlimited replication of a malfunctioning cell – to an acceptably low level to enable evolutionary success. Stem cells provide a supply of daughter somatic cells to replace those that are lost over time, due to limited somatic cell replication. In actuality, stem cells spend much of their time in a state of quiescence, without replicating. This is necessary to preserve their function and minimize damage over the course of a lifetime. When forced into excessive activity, stem cells risk …