Loss of Stem Cells Correlates with Premature Aging in Animal Study, Penn Researchers Find

July 2007 in “ Cancer biology & therapy ”

hair loss hair graying stem cells ATR gene DNA damage response premature aging tissue renewal

TLDR Removing a key gene in mice leads to premature aging and loss of stem cells.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that deleting the ATR gene in adult mice led to premature aging and loss of stem cell reservoirs, causing symptoms like hair graying, hair loss, and osteoporosis within 3-4 months. ATR is crucial for DNA damage response, and its absence resulted in overwhelming DNA damage in stem cells, preventing tissue renewal. The study suggested that premature aging syndromes and many cancers might involve the loss of DNA repair genes. The researchers are now using this mouse model to find compounds that preserve stem cells and potentially suppress aging.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community New Treatments, and a Huge Group Buy with Lots of Research

in Research/Science 109 upvotes 1 year ago

A user is organizing a group buy for various compounds aimed at reversing hair loss and gray hair, and improving brain health and fat loss. The user has developed a treatment plan based on extensive research and is inviting others to participate, with the option to choose only the compounds they need.

community I started rapidly diffuse thinning at 22. I'm 42 now and have as much hair as I did at 16. AMA

in Treatment 449 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, PRP, and microneedling helped maintain hair for 20 years. Research and try evidence-based treatments for best results.

community I was a non-responder to Minoxidil before my esophagus surgery

in Research/Science 38 upvotes 10 months ago

The user experienced improved hair density after switching from 5mg to 2.5mg oral Minoxidil post-esophagus surgery, suggesting a possible link between gut health and hair growth. They theorize that long-term medication may have blocked nutrient intake, affecting hair regrowth.

community Fighting Hair loss AND Grey Hair

in Treatment 18 upvotes 2 years ago

The user is treating hair loss with topical Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, microneedling, and Ketoconazole. For grey hair, they use L-Cysteine, L-Methionine, and PABA, and have noticed some re-pigmentation.

community A meta analysis of 18 popular hair loss treatments. An 2022 guide on efficacy. From finasteride and minoxidil to caffeine shampoo, saw palmetto and biotin. 96 Scientific References included.

in Research/Science 102 upvotes 2 years ago

Most hair loss treatments are ineffective; only finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil show effectiveness.

community Did anyone see a difference in hair growth after correcting a folic acid (folate) deficiency?

in Question 16 upvotes 5 years ago

The conversation is about hair loss and correcting vitamin deficiencies, specifically D3, B12, and folic acid. The user is considering if these deficiencies impact hair growth and mentions starting supplements.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Tissue Regenerative Delays and Synthetic Lethality in Adult Mice After Combined Deletion of ATR and TRP53

99 citations, August 2009 in “Nature Genetics”

Removing both Atr and Trp53 genes in adult mice causes severe tissue damage and death due to DNA damage.

research Deletion of the Developmentally Essential Gene ATR in Adult Mice Leads to Age-Related Phenotypes and Stem Cell Loss

688 citations, June 2007 in “Cell Stem Cell”

Removing the ATR gene in adult mice causes rapid aging and stem cell loss.

research Removing All Obstacles: A Critical Role for p53 in Promoting Tissue Renewal

30 citations, April 2010 in “Cell Cycle”

The gene p53 is crucial for removing damaged cells to allow for healthy tissue renewal.

research Replicative Stress, Stem Cells, and Aging

70 citations, March 2008 in “Mechanisms of Ageing and Development”

Maintaining DNA health in stem cells is key to preventing aging and tissue breakdown.

research Aging Skin: A Window to the Body

1 citations, April 2016 in “CRC Press eBooks”

Skin aging reflects overall body aging and can indicate internal health conditions.