Molecular mechanisms of stem cell aging

Abstract

The aging of multicellular organisms is a complex process, which is a result of various mutually complementary causes. One of these causes is the aging of stem cells. The biological function of stem cells is the replacement of cells that are lost due to illness, injury or normal fluctuations in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Molecular mechanisms involved in stem cell aging are similar to those involved in the aging of somatic cells. They include DNA damage and mutations, cell senescence, stem cell exhaustion, telomere shortening, epigenetic changes (alterations of histones and DNA and the consequent dysregulation of gene expression), changes in microRNAs, changes in metabolism, nutrient sensing, decline in mitochondrial integrity and biogenesis, alterations in microenvironment, accumulation of paracrine factors, and loss of cell polarity and proteostasis. Stem cells have developed special mechanisms that compensate for age-related accumulations of errors and they manage to maintain their stemness for a long time, however, they are able to keep cells in a good condition only for a limited period. This article describes the various mechanisms of stem cell aging and their consequences.