Microenvironmental regulation of metabolism in hematopoietic stem cell aging
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in the bone marrow, where they receive crucial signals from the surrounding tissue. These external signals, which include factors like stiffness, proteins, and lipids, work in synergy with internal cellular structures, such as mitochondria, to guide HSCs towards specific cell fates. The interaction between external and internal signaling regulates the expansion and maintenance of the HSC pool, as well as the formation of the body’s blood and immune systems. However, as we age, both the bone marrow environment and the quality of mitochondria undergo significant changes. The Gilchrist Lab team uses a biomaterial approach to develop synthetic bone marrow microenvironments for the culture of stem cells. By exposing stem cells to cues representative of the young and aged bone marrow, the team aims to uncover external mechanisms that drive the aging process and contribute to the metabolic dysfunction characteristic of aging stem cells.
