Regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging by the small RhoGTPase Cdc42

Exp Cell Res. 2014 Dec 10;329(2):214-9. doi: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2014.09.001. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Aging of stem cells might be the underlying cause of tissue aging in tissue that in the adult heavily rely on stem cell activity, like the blood forming system. Hematopoiesis, the generation of blood forming cells, is sustained by hematopoietic stem cells. In this review article, we introduce the canonical set of phenotypes associated with aged HSCs, focus on the novel aging-associated phenotype apolarity caused by elevated activity of the small RhoGTPase in aged HSCs, discuss the role of Cdc42 in hematopoiesis and describe that pharmacological inhibition of Cdc42 activity in aged HSCs results in functionally young and thus rejuvenated HSCs.

Keywords: Cdc42; Ging; Hematopoiesis; Polarity; Stem Cell.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cellular Senescence / physiology*
  • Hematopoiesis / physiology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Phenotype
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein