Telomere shortening represents one of the basic aspects of ageing and telomere dysfunction could contribute to the accumulation of DNA damage during ageing. This book summarizes evidence and data indicating that telomere dysfunction influences human ageing, diseases and cancer. The book describes our current knowledge on checkpoints that limit cellular lifespan and survival in response to telomere dysfunction. There is special focus on adult stem cells.
The functionality of adult tissue stem cells from various organ systems declines during aging. This publication summarizes novel molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of aging-associated deficiencies as discussed by leading experts during the 5th Else Kröner-Fresenius Symposium. It is the first book that explicitly focuses on molecular mechanisms of stem cell aging and its consequences for disease and cancer development including both cell-intrinsic mechanisms as well as aging-induced alterations in the stem cell niche and the systemic environment.Cutting-edge information on stem cells, aging, cancer, and disease make this publication of special interest to basic researchers in the respective fields. Further, it is also intended for medical doctors in the fields of geriatrics, internal medicine, and cancer as it provides a novel understanding of the evolution of tissue dysfunction, diseases and cancer as a consequence of aging.
Adult stem cells are present in most postnatal tissues of mammals. Tissues with high rates of cell turnover depend on the functional capacity of stem cells for lifelong maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Adult stem cells are also required for the regeneration of tissues in response to injury as in, for example, the regeneration of skeletal muscle. In addition to its function in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, adult stem cells can represent the cell type of origin of various types of cancers including leukemia and colorectal cancer. Stem cells are the most long-lived cells in the proliferative compartment of mammalian tissues. Therefore, stem cells have an increased risk of acquiring mutations that could ultimately lead to the transformation of tissue stem cells. This publication presents the current knowledge in the field of stem cell aging, which was discussed at the Else Kröner-Fresenius Symposium on Advances in Stem Cell Aging in 2011. It will be of special interest to scientists working on stem cell research, aging, regeneration, and cancer as well as physicians and scientists specializing in geriatric medicine, internal medicine, and surgery.
"There is growing evidence that adult stem cells age. This process can result in alterations in the number and function of stem cells, leading to distinct phenotypic outcomes in different organ systems. This publication provides an outstanding overview of this emerging field. The molecular causes of stem cell aging remain to be defined. Stem cell aging can involve cell-intrinsic as well as cell-extrinsic alterations affecting the stem cell niche or the macroenvironment. Stem cells have a longer life span than other cell populations and retain a capacity to proliferate and differentiate in adult organs. The aging of adult stem cells plays a key role in the decline of organ maintenance and regenerative potential during aging and during the end stage of chronic diseases. In addition, it can contribute to stem cell transformation and carcinogenesis. Molecular Mechanisms of Adult Stem Cell Aging will appeal to scientists working in the fields such as stem cells, aging, regeneration and cancer. This subject matter should be of interest to physicians and scientists specializing in geriatric medicine, internal medicine, and surgery. It is also likely to be an invaluable resource for medical students and biologists who wish to enhance their understanding of molecular and stem cell biology."--Publisher's description.