Aging of human mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent precursors with osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic yet also anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective properties. Due to organism aging, the controlled perpetuation and continuance of developmental principlescomprising cellular, interstitial, and systemic cues, stem cell proliferation, as wellas progenitor differentiation appears to become constricted. Over the recent years, during which abundant information regarding MSC biology has been gathered, also a plethora of information regarding age-associated changes and molecular mechanisms has been collected, which are comprehended in this contribution, in particular regarding insights derived from both in vitro and in vivo analyses which cover alterations in DNA and chromatin modifications, as well as changes in regulatory elements such as miRNAs.