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mTORC1 Activation during Repeated Regeneration Impairs Somatic Stem Cell Maintenance
Samantha Haller1, Subir Kapuria2, Rebeccah R Riley2
1Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945-1400, USA; Immunology Discovery, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
Target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling drives stem cell loss during repeated tissue regeneration. Inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) prevents age-related stem cell decline, revealing its conserved role in aging.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Molecular signaling pathways
Background:
- Stem cell (SC) self-renewal and differentiation maintain tissue homeostasis.
- This balance is disrupted in aged individuals and during high regenerative demand.
- Understanding SC regulation is crucial for combating age-related tissue degeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling in stem cell loss during repeated tissue regeneration.
- To determine if TOR signaling inhibition can prevent age-related stem cell decline.
Main Methods:
- Studied stem cell behavior in fly intestinal and mouse tracheal epithelia.
- Analyzed TOR signaling activation in response to regenerative stimuli.
- Utilized pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in aged mice.
Main Results:
- Transient TOR signaling activation is necessary for stem cell proliferation after damage.
- Repeated regenerative episodes lead to stem cell loss.
- Inhibition of mTORC1 signaling prevented age-related stem cell loss in mouse trachea and muscle.
Conclusions:
- TOR signaling is a conserved regulator of stem cell function across species.
- Repeated mTORC1 activation contributes to age-related stem cell attrition.
- Targeting mTORC1 may offer therapeutic strategies for age-related diseases.
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