Researchers at Tohoku University have leveraged artificial intelligence to discover a primary genetic driver behind the aging of blood stem cells. Using an AI foundational model called Geneformer, which was trained on tens of millions of cells, the team analyzed gene-expression data to predict which factors alter youthful blood stem cells into an aged state. The AI narrowed down a list of 143 potential candidates to a single gene-regulating factor known as Pbx1. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that this specific gene acts as a core network hub controlling how stem cells change over time.
The findings challenge traditional views by showing that aging stem cells do not simply lose function, but instead transition into a different, stable state with unique behavioral tendencies. When Pbx1 becomes highly active, it forces young stem cells to mimic older ones, resulting in a significant drop in red blood cell production and a sharp increase in platelets. This imbalance explains why elderly individuals are more susceptible to anemia and blood clots. Future studies will investigate whether blocking this genetic pathway can prevent age-related blood disorders and blood cancers in humans.
Read more via the link