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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Isolation, Proliferation and Differentiation of Rhesus Macaque Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Published on: May 26, 2021
In vitro aging of macaque adherent cells: similar pattern of cellular aging between human and macaque
Yuko Shimizu1, Juri Suzuki, Keiji Terao
1Department of Biological Sciences, Unit of Human Biology and Genetics, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Abstract:
To explore new models for human cellular aging as well as to evaluate aging of the macaques, profiles of cellular aging in macaques were studied. Adherent cells were obtained from five Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), 14 long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), two bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) and a rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). A total of 35 cultures were performed and cell morphology, doubling time, telomere length and telomerase activity were studied. They were classified into three groups; group I: cell strains with a definite replicative life-span (-41 PDLs) (presence of M1), group II: cell strains with a limited extension of replicative life-span (79-106 PDLs) with p53 mutation(s) (presence of M2), and group III: a cell strain with an indefinite replicative life-span (>150 PDLs) with characteristics of transformation. Except for the last group, telomerase activity was not observed. Macaque cells demonstrated three chronological patterns comprising both human and rodent patterns, however, presence of the two limits of proliferation in vitro grants macaque cells to be more appropriate than rodents in both studying human aging and oncogenesis.
Insights
Macaque cells exhibit distinct aging patterns, offering a better model than rodents for studying human cellular aging and oncogenesis due to their defined proliferation limits.
Area of Science:
- * Primate cellular biology
- * Gerontology research
- * Oncogenesis studies
Background:
- * Understanding human cellular aging and oncogenesis requires suitable animal models.
- * Macaques (Macaca spp.) are primates with potential for modeling human biological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate cellular aging profiles in various macaque species.
- * To evaluate macaques as a model for human cellular aging and oncogenesis.
Main Methods:
- * Isolation and culture of adherent cells from five macaque species.
- * Analysis of cell morphology, doubling time, telomere length, and telomerase activity.
- * Classification of cell strains based on replicative lifespan and genetic mutations (p53).
Main Results:
- * Macaque cells displayed three distinct aging patterns, mirroring human and rodent models.
- * Cell strains showed limited or definite replicative lifespans, with some exhibiting p53 mutations.
- * Telomerase activity was absent except in a transformed cell strain with indefinite lifespan.
- * Macaque cells demonstrated two proliferation limits in vitro.
Conclusions:
- * Macaque cells present a more appropriate model than rodents for studying human aging and oncogenesis.
- * The observed aging patterns and proliferation limits in macaque cells are valuable for biomedical research.
