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Ageing

Genetic rejuvenation of old muscle

Nature volume 506, pages 304–305 (2014)Cite this article

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In advanced age, the stem cells responsible for muscle regeneration switch from reversible quiescence to irreversible senescence. Targeting a driver of senescence revives muscle stem cells and restores regeneration. See Article p.316

One of the telltale signs of advanced ageing is loss of skeletal-muscle mass and strength, a phenomenon known as sarcopenia. Muscle strength is inversely correlated with mortality in old populations1,2, and the decline in strength is attributable to the decreased regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells, called satellite cells, with age. Whether this decline is caused by cell-intrinsic and/or environmental alterations has remained unclear. On page 316 of this issue, Sousa-Victor et al.3 shed light on this debate by uncovering intrinsic aspects of age-related satellite-cell dysfunction that account for the loss of muscle maintenance (homeostasis) and regeneration. This study also provides a potential strategy for satellite-cell rejuvenation that could benefit geriatric individuals and those with progeria, a disorder in which cells age prematurely.

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Figure 1: Old age disrupts muscle regeneration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mo Li and Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte are in the Gene Expression Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.,

    Mo Li & Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte

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  1. Mo Li
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  2. Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte
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Correspondence to Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte.

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Li, M., Belmonte, J. Genetic rejuvenation of old muscle. Nature 506, 304–305 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13058

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