Proteostasis in the lifespan of hematopoietic stem cells.
The hematopoietic system represents an excellent model to study how proteostasis (protein homeostasis) influences different cell types within the same tissue. This review focuses on mechanisms of proteostasis that preserve the lifespan of rare hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Although most proteostasis network components are expressed in all cells, their activation and utilization are cell type-specific. HSCs maintain low translation rates and a preference for autophagy over proteasomal degradation to minimize protein stress.
To protect the integrity of the stem cell pool, HSCs are thought to respond to damage by clearing defective organelles and proteins or by eliminating compromised cells through differentiation or apoptosis.
A stressed proteome accelerates HSC aging, and the immune system derived from aged HSCs is suspected to contribute to the decline of other tissues. This highlights the importance of maintaining healthy HSCs to preserve organismal wellbeing.
Several experimental treatments in mouse models have been shown to boost HSC activity in older organisms by enhancing proteostasis.
This promising research opens up new possibilities for interventions that could improve aging through regenerative medicine. sciencenewshighlights ScienceMission https://sciencemission.com/longevity-from-blood-stem-cells
Blood stem cells are among the body’s longest-living cells despite being highly vulnerable to proteotoxic damage, which accelerates their aging. To maintain protein homeostasis (proteostasis), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) employ mechanisms such as reduced translation rates, high chaperone activity, autophagy, and selective protein degradation. These strategies mitigate protein misfolding, maintain quiescence, and preserve regenerative potential. Disruptions in proteostasis can lead to the elimination of impaired HSCs through differentiation or apoptosis, ensuring the integrity of the stem cell pool. Due to the systemic impact of the blood on aging and its experimental and clinical accessibility, investigating HSC proteostasis provides insights into longevity and potential therapeutic strategies.