Oxidants, metabolism, and stem cell biology

Adult stem cells persist throughout the lifetime of the organism and may therefore require specific mechanisms to limit the effects of chronic oxidative stress. Recently, several instructive genetic mouse models have demonstrated the unique susceptibility of stem cells to perturbations in metabolic or redox homeostasis. These results have implications not only for stem cell biology but also suggest a mechanistic link between intracellular oxidants and the decline in regenerative function that occurs as a normal consequence of aging.

► Recent evidence supports a unique sensitivity of stem cells to oxidative stress
► Genes regulating stem cell energy balance and ROS levels recently characterized
► ROS levels in stem cells may be important in age-dependent regenerative decline