Targeting aged bone marrow for systemic rejuvenation

directly linked to increasing mortality and healthcare costs worldwide. A key contributing factor to the aging process is a loss of stem/progenitor cell function which leads to a dysregulated tissue microenvironment and reduced repair/regeneration [1]. Over the last two decades scientists have illustrated the importance of intrinsic stem cells for maintaining tissue function and that the number/function of stem cells in a tissue correlates with the repair capacity. One approach that has been taken to increase the number of stem cells in aged tissues is cell transplantation. However, this approach is insufficient due to the poor ability of transplanted cells to survive in recipient tissues. Given that the maintenance of stem cells is crucial for preserving tissue function with aging, identifying approaches which rejuvenate stem cell numbers/ function in aged tissues may limit the adverse effects of aging and improve tissue repair.