Stem cells and aging: expanding the possibilities.

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1322994 & dopt=Abstract

Mech Ageing Dev 2001 May 31;122(7):713-34

Stem cells and aging: expanding the possibilities.

Rao MS, Mattson MP.

Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Gerontology Research

Center 4F02, 5600 Shock Drive,

21224, Baltimore, MD, USA

In the very early stages of embryonic development, cells have the capability of

dividing indefinitely and then

differentiating into any type of cell in the body.

Recent studies have revealed that much of this remarkable developmental

potential of embryonic stem cells is retained by

small populations of cells within most tissues in the adult.

Intercellular signals that control the proliferation, differentiation and

survival of stem cells are being identified

and include a diverse array of growth factors, cytokines and cell adhesion

molecules.

Intracellular mechanisms that regulate stem cell fate are also emerging and

include established second messenger

pathways, novel transcription factors and telomerase.

The possibility that a decline in the numbers or plasticity of stem cell

populations contributes to aging and

age-related disease is suggested by recent findings.

The remarkable plasticity of stem cells suggests that endogenous or transplanted

stem cells can be 'tweaked' in ways

that will allow them to replace lost or dysfunctional cell populations in

diseases ranging from neurodegenerative and

hematopoietic disorders to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

PMID: 11322994 [PubMed - in process]

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Good Health & Long Life,

Greg ,

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