Stem cells play a crucial role in supporting surrounding tissue, providing a supply of new cells to replace those lost to the Hayflick limit on somatic cell replication. However, this activity declines with age, leading to a reduced supply of replacement cells and loss of tissue function. Researchers are delving into the mechanisms behind this decline in stem cell activity in aging flies. By exploring potential interventions to increase stem cell activity in old flies, they hope to tackle age-related tissue degeneration.
Aging brings about various changes in tissue stem cells, resulting in opposing phenotypes of proliferation and exhaustion. Stem cell exhaustion, characterized by a decline in stem cell numbers and renewal capacity, hinders tissue regeneration. Understanding the mechanisms behind aging-induced stem cell exhaustion is vital in addressing age-related tissue degeneration. Researchers are investigating factors such as replicative stress and signaling pathways that may play a role in driving this exhaustion process.
Studies on chromatin accessibility and gene expression in aging intestinal progenitor cells have revealed potential factors contributing to stem cell exhaustion. Changes in Trithorax-like (Trl) target genes and their expression levels have been linked to exhausting intestinal stem cells. By inhibiting Trl target genes, researchers have observed a decrease in stem cell activity. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind age-related stem cell exhaustion.
For more details, you can read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110793.
