The Epigenetic Basis of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging

Highly proliferative tissues such as the gut, skin and bone marrow lose millions of cells each day to normal attrition and challenge from different biological adversities. To achieve a lifespan beyond the longevity of individual cell types, tissue-specific stem cells sustain these tissues throughout the life of a human. For example, the lifespan of erythrocytes is about 100 days and adults make about two million new erythrocytes every second. A small pool of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow is responsible for the lifetime maintenance of these populations.

Source: Seminars in Hematology - October 23, 2016 Category: Hematology Authors: Ashley Kramer, Grant A. Challen Tags: 54/1 Aging and Hematopoiesis Source Type: research