Genetics Seminar Series: "Lysosomal Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Quiescence in Youth and With Age"

Blood forming or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) produce blood throughout life. This remarkable ability is sustained by a few HSCs that are deeply quiescent, a fundamental property that paradoxically determines the degree of stem cell potency and transplantation ability, and that is greatly compromised with age. Old stem cells’ defective function is at the root of many blood disorders in the elderly. The underlying mechanisms that may be exploited to fully restore stem cell fitness with age are yet to be uncovered. We recently discovered that lysosomes, centers of degradation and also storage in the cell, play central and unanticipated functions in regulating HSCs’ quiescence, potency and metabolism. I will present this and additional unpublished work on lysosomes in regulating HSC aging and their potential as targets in improving stem cell health and longevity.