Age-associated inflammation inhibits epidermal stem cell function

• Published in: Genes & development Vol. 26; no. 19; pp. 2144 - 2153
• Main Authors: Doles, Jason, Storer, Mekayla, Cozzuto, Luca, Roma, Guglielmo, Keyes, William M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (CSHL Press) 01.10.2012; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Cell Count; Cells, Cultured; Citologia; Cytokines - metabolism; Cèl·lules mare; Envelliment; Epidermis; Epidermis - cytology; Epidermis - enzymology; Hair Follicle - cytology; Hair Follicle - enzymology; Homeostasis - physiology; Inflamació; Inflammation; Janus Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Research Paper; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor - metabolism; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - enzymology
• ISSN: 0890-9369; 1549-5477; 1549-5477
• DOI: 10.1101/gad.192294.112

Altered stem cell homeostasis is linked to organismal aging. However, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Here we report novel alterations in hair follicle stem cells during skin aging, including increased numbers, decreased function, and an inability to tolerate stress. Performing high-throughput RNA sequencing on aging stem cells, cytokine arrays, and functional assays, we identify an age-associated imbalance in epidermal Jak–Stat signaling that inhibits stem cell function. Collectively, this study reveals a role for the aging epidermis in the disruption of cytokine and stem cell homeostasis, suggesting that stem cell decline during aging may be part of broader tumor-suppressive mechanisms.