Fabrisia Ambrosio, PhD, MPTAssistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine & RehabilitationUniversity of Pittsburgh

Thursday, May 28th4:00 - 5:00 PM, Magnusson Auditorium, 16th FloorRehabilitation Institute of Chicago345 E. Superior Street, ChicagoReception to follow

Title: "Mechanical Stimulation Rejuvenates the Aged Muscle Stem Cell Phenotype Through Modulation of the Longevity Protein, Klotho"

Abstract:In older adults, muscle trauma resulting from an injury or surgery may initiate a devastating cascade of functional declines; a cascade that is, at least partially, attributed to failed muscle healing. Muscle regeneration is predominantly dictated by the action of muscle stem, or "satellite", cells (MuSCs), a reserve cell population that demonstrates considerable dysfunction with increasing age. According to the stem cell niche concept, stem cell responses are significantly influenced by biophysical and biochemical cues that emanate from the surrounding microenvironment. While it is evident that MuSC activation, self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation are regulated by physical and dynamic niche interactions, a mechanistic understanding of the effect of age-related alterations in skeletal muscle biophysical properties on MuSC behavior and regenerative potential has been lacking.