Epigenetic therapy targeting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for age-related bone diseases

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2022 May 16;13(1):201. doi: 10.1186/s13287-022-02852-w.

Abstract

As global aging accelerates, the prevention and treatment of age-related bone diseases are becoming a critical issue. In the process of senescence, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) gradually lose the capability of self-renewal and functional differentiation, resulting in impairment of bone tissue regeneration and disorder of bone tissue homeostasis. Alteration in epigenetic modification is an essential factor of BMSC dysfunction during aging. Its transferability and reversibility provide the possibility to combat BMSC aging by reversing age-related modifications. Emerging evidence demonstrates that epigenetic therapy based on aberrant epigenetic modifications could alleviate the senescence and dysfunction of stem cells. This review summarizes potential therapeutic targets for BMSC aging, introduces some potential approaches to alleviating BMSC aging, and analyzes its prospect in the clinical application of age-related bone diseases.

Keywords: Age-related bone diseases; Aging; Epigenetics; Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC); Therapy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases* / genetics
  • Bone Diseases* / therapy
  • Bone Marrow Cells
  • Bone Regeneration / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells*
  • Osteogenesis