Stem Cells and Aging

摘要: With age, the ability to maintain organ homeostasis and cellular regenerative capacity diminishes. The stem cell theory of aging posits that this decline in occurs as a result functional depletion adult pool by death, injury, senescence, cycle arrest, or differentiation. functionality depends upon conserved molecular pathways, which ensure optimal balance between self-renewal, quiescence, In chapter, we focus on events converge final common path through tumor suppressor p53 its downstream target, inhibitor p21Cip1/Waf1 (p21). Both intrinsic, nuclear defects such unrepaired DNA damage laminopathies disturb integrity membrane chromatin, extrinsic milieu are transmitted receptor-mediated signaling cascades, can activate turn p21 transcription cells. increased load inhibits potential cells, limiting turnover, maintenance tissue function, and, ultimately, life span.