Aging mice may help aging humans

Stanford, Calif. -- U.S. scientists say aging stem cells in mice might hold answers to diseases suffered by aging humans.

The Stanford University School of Medicine researchers said as stem cells in the blood grow older, genetic mutations accumulate that could be at the root of blood diseases that strike people as they age.

"This and our previous work points out why older people are more likely to get blood diseases, such as leukemia or anemia, and are less likely to make new antibodies that would protect against infections like the flu," said senior author Dr. Irving Weissman, director of the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.

The complex research is presented in the June 6 issue of the journal Nature.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.