Free Radicals and Stem Cell Aging

For the past 50 years, free radicals have been presumed to be a causal factor of cellular and organismal aging due to their reactive nature. During aging and age-associated disease, there is evidence that free radicals can cause damage to cellular structures. Stem cells and their regenerative potential represent an important therapeutic approach against aging and age-associated diseases. Although in principle stem cells are immortal, there is evidence that their function declines with age. The aging process in stem cells might differ from that of somatic cells, and is unavoidably accompanied by loss or modification of their regenerative capacity. A number of recent papers from different groups uncovered a role of reactive oxygen species in the aging process of stem cells. Here we review the current literature that associates stem cell aging with reactive oxygen species.