Hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow give rise to red blood cells and immune cells. Like all stem cell populations, they become increasingly dysfunctional with age, however. In part this is damage to the stem cells themselves, but a sizable portion of the problem results from age-related damage and change in the niche of supporting cells that is needed to maintain a stem cell population. It is hoped that restoring stem cell function in older individuals will go a long way towards producing slowed aging and improved heal…
Autophagy is Protective Against Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging
Hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow give rise to red blood cells and immune cells. Like all stem cell populations, they become increasingly dysfunctional with age, however. In part this is damage to the stem cells themselves, but a sizable portion of the problem results from age-related damage and change in the niche of supporting cells that is needed to maintain a stem cell population. It is hoped that restoring stem cell function in older individuals will go a long way towards producing slowed aging and improved heal…