Stem Cells Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stem Cells, including details on research, transplants, therapy, benefits.

Linking age-related defects in B lymphopoiesis to the aging of hematopoietic stem cells.

Miller JP, Allman D

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 269 John Morgan Building, 36th and Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

B cell genesis declines with age, but at what stage and why remains unclear. Previous studies attribute the decline in B cell production in aged mice to both environmental and cell-intrinsic defects that impact mid-to-late stream B cell precursors. However, mounting evidence suggests that the aging process may also negatively affect the earliest phases of B cell development. We review past studies on the B cells and aging question, discuss recent data suggesting that age-associated defects in B cell development reflect deficiencies in hematopoietic stem cell-proximal progenitor pools, and provide an integrative model that will hopefully facilitate further studies into this complex problem.

Published 1 August 2005 in Semin Immunol, 17(5): 321-9.
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