# Stem cell exhaustion

Stem cell exhaustion is the age-related decline of your tissue-resident stem cells. They drop in number, function, and regenerative power. Several things drive it. There is accumulated DNA damage. There is telomere shortening. There is epigenetic drift. There are failing mitochondria. And there is a deteriorating niche around the cells. The consequences show up all over your body. They include slower wound healing, anemia, a weaker immune system (immunosenescence), muscle loss (sarcopenia), and worse tissue upkeep. It is recognized as a hallmark of aging. And it is a key target for regenerative and reprogramming-based interventions.

## Sources

- López-Otín C, Blasco MA, Partridge L, Serrano M, Kroemer G. (2013). The Hallmarks of Aging. Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2013.05.039
- López-Otín C, Blasco MA, Partridge L, Serrano M, Kroemer G. (2023). Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe. Cell. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.001

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/stem-cell-exhaustion · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_