![Reviving Old Blood-Making Cells]()
White cells, red cells and all other blood cells in the body are produced by hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells (HSCs) in bone marrow niches. Over time, HSCs age and produce fewer cells, which can lead to blood disorders and weakened immunity. In a study published online on May 7 in Nature Medicine, Paul Frenette, M.D., compared bone marrow from young and old mice. He found that age-related loss of sympathetic nerve signaling causes remodeling of blood vessels in the bone marrow, leading to aging of the marrow. Dr. Frenette and his team showed that stimulating old bone marrow with sympathetic nerve signaling reverses HSC aging by rejuvenating the niche. The findings could lead to new treatments for HSC-related blood disorders. Dr. Frenette is professor of medicine and of cell biology and director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research at Einstein.
Posted on: Monday, May 07, 2018