Mis-regulation of Stem Cell Activation Mechanisms Driving Muscle Dysfunction in the Elderly
It is inevitable that our body’s skeletal muscle tissue will gradually deteriorate as we get older. Current work suggests that the inability of stem cells to switch on the muscle-forming program after trauma is a major cause to the loss of muscle mass and strength in the elderly. However, why older stem cells lose the ability to fully restore muscle after injury remains a mystery. Recently, Dr. Almada’s team discovered a new stem cell activation pathway that requires a key (1) enzyme and (2) an essential vitamin, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+), that work together to guide muscle stem cells through the repair process. Considering that NAD(+) levels decline substantially in aged skeletal muscle, in his AFAR supported work, Dr. Almada will explore whether this new NAD(+)-triggered pathway is disabled during muscle ageing; and if re-activating it will kick-start the healing process in in older animals.
