Shortened telomeres linked to dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, researchers discover
Stem cells. Credit score: Penn Medication Researchers from the Perelman College of Medication on the College of Pennsylvania have made a discovery about muscular dystrophy problems that recommend new prospects for therapy. In a examine printed on-line in Stem Cell Experiences , researchers discovered that stem cells within the muscle tissue of muscular dystrophy sufferers might, at an early age, lose their capability to regenerate new muscle, attributable to shortened telomeres. Telomeres are tail-like chains of DNA on the ends of chromosomes that shield chromosomes throughout cell division. In lots of cell sorts, telomeres additionally function organic countdown clocks, being shortened with each cell division till their lowered size triggers the demise of the cell or an inactive, non-dividing state known as senescence. The crew discovered that telomeres particularly in muscle stem cells are abnormally quick in teenage boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD),...