Nuclear area changes in senescing human diploid fibroblasts

The pattern of mean nuclear area changes was determined in human fibroblast cell strains from male donors of three different ages (8,40 and 84 years) during their in vitro lifespan. There was a statistically significant increase in mean nuclear area of cells of all three strains during their aging in vitro. A gradual increase of the subpopulation of cells with larger nuclei was also observed. Evidence for a positive correlation between aging in vitro, as reflected by mean nuclear areas at the tenth doubling from the end of in vitro doubling activity, and donor age is presented.