Butler M Gohazrua K, Ambrosi Thomas H, Murphy Matthew P, Chan Charles K F
Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Blond McIndoe Laboratories, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Adv Geriatr Med Res. 2022;4(2). doi: 10.20900/agmr20220006. Epub 2022 Jun 30.
The skeletal system is generated and maintained by its progenitors, skeletal stem cells (SSCs), across the duration of life. Gradual changes associated with aging result in significant differences in functionality of SSCs. Declines in bone and cartilage production, increase of bone marrow adipose tissue, compositional changes of cellular microenvironments, and subsequent deterioration of external and internal structures culminate in the aged and weakened skeleton. The features and mechanisms of skeletal aging, and of its stem and progenitor cells in particular, are topics of recent investigation. The discovery of functionally homogeneous SSC populations with a defined cell surface phenotype has allowed for closer inspection of aging in terms of its effects on transcriptional regulation, cell function, and identity. Here, we review the aspects of SSC aging on both micro- and macroscopic levels. Up-to-date knowledge of SSC biology and aging is presented, and directions for future research and potential therapies are discussed. The realm of SSC-mediated bone aging remains an important component of global health and a necessary facet in our understanding of human aging.
在整个生命过程中，骨骼系统由其祖细胞——骨骼干细胞（SSCs）生成并维持。与衰老相关的渐进性变化导致SSCs的功能存在显著差异。骨骼和软骨生成减少、骨髓脂肪组织增加、细胞微环境的成分变化以及随后外部和内部结构的恶化，最终导致骨骼老化和变弱。骨骼衰老的特征和机制，尤其是其干细胞和祖细胞的特征和机制，是近期研究的课题。具有明确细胞表面表型的功能同质SSC群体的发现，使得能够更仔细地研究衰老对转录调控、细胞功能和特性的影响。在这里，我们回顾了SSC衰老在微观和宏观层面的各个方面。介绍了SSC生物学和衰老的最新知识，并讨论了未来研究方向和潜在治疗方法。SSC介导的骨骼衰老领域仍然是全球健康的重要组成部分，也是我们理解人类衰老的一个必要方面。
