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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

Assessment of the Immunomodulatory Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)

Published on: December 24, 2015

Aging alters tissue resident mesenchymal stem cell properties.

Eckhard U Alt¹, Christiane Senst, Subramanyam N Murthy

¹Applied Stem Cell Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Tulane University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.

Stem Cell Research

|January 24, 2012

Summary

Aging impairs stem cell function, reducing tissue repair capabilities. This study reveals age-associated molecular changes in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), impacting regeneration and homeostasis.

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Area of Science:

Stem cell biology
Aging research
Regenerative medicine

Background:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are crucial for tissue regeneration.
Aging is known to diminish the body's repair and regeneration capacity.
Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are readily accessible and possess regenerative potential.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate age-associated molecular alterations in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs).
To understand how aging affects ASC number, differentiation, proliferation, and senescence.
To identify molecular mechanisms underlying the decline in regenerative potential with age.

Main Methods:

Collected ASCs from healthy volunteers across three age groups: young, middle-aged, and aged.
Assessed ASC number, multilineage differentiation potential, and proliferative capacity.
Analyzed cell cycle phases, gene expression (senescence, apoptosis, DNA repair), and global microRNA profiles.

Main Results:

ASCs showed decreased number and differentiation potential with increasing age.
Aging led to reduced proliferation, increased cellular senescence, and G2/S phase quiescence.
Elevated expression of senescence genes (CHEK1, p16(ink4a)) and abnormal DNA repair gene expression were observed.
Downregulation of apoptosis genes and altered microRNA expression (mir-27b, mir-106a, mir-199a, let-7) were noted in aged ASCs.

Conclusions:

Aging significantly alters the molecular characteristics and function of ASCs.
These age-related changes in ASCs may critically impact tissue regeneration and homeostasis.
Understanding stem cell aging mechanisms is vital for addressing age-related decline in tissue repair.