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Hematopoietic Stem Cells and the Immune System in Development and Aging
Daniil Shevyrev1, Valeriy Tereshchenko1, Tatiana N Berezina2
1Centre for Cell Technology and Immunology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sirius, 354340 Sochi, Russia.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) lose regenerative potential with age, impairing immune function and increasing disease risk. Understanding HSC aging mechanisms is key to developing rejuvenation strategies for the immune system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are crucial for lifelong immunity, originating in early embryonic development with high regenerative capacity.
- Adult HSCs enter dormancy and reduce repair activity, preserving stemness but diminishing their potential over time.
- Aging negatively impacts HSCs and mature immune cells, leading to reduced immune effectiveness and increased chronic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the mechanisms of reduced regenerative potential in aging hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) compared to embryonic HSCs.
- To understand the features of inflammatory aging and its impact on the immune system.
- To identify pathways for HSC and immune system regeneration and rejuvenation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of embryonic and aging hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
- Investigation of HSC niche aging and mutation accumulation.
- Assessment of changes in immune cell function, including phagocytosis and antigen presentation.
- Analysis of inflammatory factors produced by aging immune cells.
Main Results:
- Aging reduces HSC self-renewal and alters differentiation, favoring myeloid over lymphoid lineages.
- Reduced clonal diversity and impaired lymphopoiesis (naive T- and B-cell formation) are observed in aging HSCs.
- Mature immune cells exhibit decreased phagocytic activity, oxidative burst, and antigen processing, contributing to chronic inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Age-related decline in HSC regenerative potential and immune cell function compromises protective immunity.
- Chronic inflammation associated with aging increases susceptibility to autoimmune, oncological, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Deciphering HSC aging and inflammatory processes is essential for developing strategies to rejuvenate the immune system.
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