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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
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Telomerase activity and telomere on stem progeny senescence
Balal Brazvan1, Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan2, Kobra Velaei3
1Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Summary
Cytokines from immune cells influence telomere length by affecting telomerase expression. This review explores how cytokines impact telomere maintenance and the induction of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Telomeres protect chromosome ends and their length is regulated by telomerase.
- Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) expression is crucial for cell proliferation.
- Most somatic cells lack telomerase activity, unlike certain stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of immune cell cytokines on telomerase expression and telomere length.
- To examine the mechanisms by which cytokines induce telomerase expression.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on cytokine signaling and telomerase regulation.
- Analysis of pathways involved in cytokine-induced hTERT gene expression.
Main Results:
- Cytokines significantly impact telomerase activity and telomere length.
- Cytokine-induced hTERT expression involves PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Immune cell cytokines play a regulatory role in telomere maintenance.
- Understanding these interactions is vital for comprehending cellular proliferation and immune responses.
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