Subarea 1: Stem Cell Aging

The individual research groups within Subarea 1 investigate the causes and consequences of stem cell aging. The research work spans from basic model organisms over genetic mouse models up to humanized mouse models engrafted with human stem cells.

According to the FLI, with the closure of two groups since 2016 the representation of invertebrate models of stem cell research was reduced in Subarea 1. The institute presumes that the recruitment of new groups should fill this gap.

The research is defined by four focus areas:

  • Cell-intrinsic mechanisms limiting the function of aging stem and progenitor cells,
  • Aging-associated alterations of stem cell niches and the systemic environment,
  • Mechanisms of clonal selection and epigenetic drifts in stem cell aging, and
  • Microbiota- and metabolism-induced impairments in stem cell function during aging (in context of the new focus area Microbiota and Aging currently being built up within Subarea 2).

Research focus of Subarea 1.

a) It is currently not well understood what mechanisms impair cellular functions in aging. b) The relative contribution of niche cells and systemic acting factors on stem cell aging have yet to be determined in different tissues. c) Clonal expansion of mutant cells associates with disease development in aging humans. Mechanistically, the process remains poorly understood. Changes in color intensity depict clonal dominance originating from stem (green) or progenitor cells (gray). d) Emerging evidences indicate that aging associated alterations in microbiota influence stem cell function and vice versa.

Publications

(since 2016)

2017

  • Rejuvenating Strategies for Stem Cell-Based Therapies in Aging.
    Neves J, Sousa-Victor P, Jasper H
    Cell Stem Cell 2017, 20(2), 161-75
  • Gain of function in Jak2(V617F)-positive T-cells.
    Nishanth G, Wolleschak D, Fahldieck C, Fischer T, Mullally A, Perner F, Schnöder TM, Just S, Heidel* FH, Schlüter* D
    Leukemia 2017, 31(4), 1000-3 * equal contribution
  • The use of urinary proteomics in the assessment of suitability of mouse models for ageing.
    Nkuipou-Kenfack E, Schanstra JP, Bajwa S, Pejchinovski M, Vinel C, Dray C, Valet P, Bascands JL, Vlahou A, Koeck T, Borries M, Busch H, Bechtel-Walz W, Huber TB, Rudolph KL, Pich A, Mischak H, Zürbig P
    PLoS One 2017, 12(2), e0166875
  • Activated protein C protects from GvHD via PAR2/PAR3 signalling in regulatory T-cells.
    Ranjan S, Goihl A, Kohli S, Gadi I, Pierau M, Shahzad K, Gupta D, Bock F, Wang H, Shaikh H, Kähne T, Reinhold D, Bank U, Zenclussen AC, Niemz J, Schnöder TM, Brunner-Weinzierl M, Fischer T, Kalinski T, Schraven B, Luft T, Huehn J, Naumann M, Heidel FH, Isermann B
    Nat Commun 2017, 8(1), 311
  • Mitochondrial BAX Determines the Predisposition to Apoptosis in Human AML.
    Reichenbach F, Wiedenmann C, Schalk E, Becker D, Funk K, Scholz-Kreisel P, Todt F, Wolleschak D, Döhner K, Marquardt** JU, Heidel** F, Edlich** F
    Clin Cancer Res 2017, 23(16), 4805-16 ** co-corresponding authors
  • Macrophage's little helper: vitamin A directs alternatively activated monocyte-derived macrophages to tissue-resident macrophages.
    Schlüter D, Heidel FH
    Cell Mol Immunol 2017, 14(10), 805-8
  • Cell autonomous expression of CXCL-10 in JAK2V617F-mutated MPN.
    Schnöder TM, Eberhardt J, Koehler M, Bierhoff HB, Weinert S, Pandey AD, Nimmagadda SC, Wolleschak D, Jöhrens K, Fischer T, Heidel FH
    J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2017, 143(5), 807-20
  • Hoxa9 activation by epigenetic alterations in aging muscle stem cells induces developmental signals impairing regeneration of aging muscle
    Schwörer S
    Dissertation 2017, Jena, Germany
  • Wnt activity and basal niche position sensitize intestinal stem and progenitor cells to DNA damage.
    Tao S, Tang D, Morita Y, Sperka T, Omrani O, Lechel A, Sakk V, Kraus J, Kestler HA, Kühl M, Rudolph KL
    EMBO J 2017, 36(19), 2920-1 Erratum for EMBO J 2015 volume 34 page 624
  • Synergistic killing of FLT3ITD-positive AML cells by combined inhibition of tyrosine-kinase activity and N-glycosylation.
    Tsitsipatis D, Jayavelu AK, Müller JP, Bauer R, Schmidt-Arras D, Mahboobi S, Schnöder TM, Heidel F, Böhmer FD
    Oncotarget 2017, 8(16), 26613-24