Many Roads to Ruin

Abstract

As researchers begin to understand the molecular faults that weaken tissues and organs over time, they are learning that some types of trouble undermine specific tissues and others affect multiple tissues. In certain tissues, for example, mature cells kill themselves in droves. In muscles, stem cells that fix injuries stop dividing. In the bones and arteries, stem cells specialize inappropriately. Putting stem cells back to work might allow scientists to repair damage. By prodding them in the bone marrow, for example, researchers might coax the damaged heart to repair itself.