Muscle stem cells trade functionality for survival

Science. 2026 Jan 29;391(6784):444. doi: 10.1126/science.aed3298. Epub 2026 Jan 29.

Author

Julia von Maltzahn^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health Sciences, Brandenburg Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany.
² Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences, Brandenburg Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany.
³ Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany.

PMID: 41610221
DOI: 10.1126/science.aed3298

Abstract

During aging, stem cell persistence is favored over functionality, resulting in delayed responses to injury.

MeSH terms

Aging* / physiology
Animals
Cell Survival
Cellular Senescence*
Humans
Mice
Muscle, Skeletal* / cytology
Muscle, Skeletal* / injuries
Muscle, Skeletal* / physiology
Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle* / cytology
Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle* / physiology