Potential role of 20S proteasome in maintaining stem cell integrity of human bone marrow stromal cells in prolonged culture expansion

► Prolonged culture expansion retards proliferation and induces senescence of hBMSCs. ► Reduced 20S proteasomal activity and expression potentially contribute to cell aging. ► MG132-mediated 20S proteasomal inhibition induces senescence-like phenotype. ► 18α-GA stimulates proteasomal activity and restores replicative senescence. ► 18α-GA retains differentiation without affecting stem cell characterizations.