Vitamin A retinoic acid contributes to muscle stem cell and mitochondrial function loss in old age.

ABSTRACT: Adult stem cells decline in number and function in old age, and identifying factors that can delay or revert age-associated adult stem cell dysfunction are vital for maintaining a healthy lifespan. Here we show that vitamin A, a micronutrient that is derived from diet and metabolized into retinoic acid, acts as an antioxidant and transcriptional regulator in muscle stem cells. We first show that obstruction of dietary vitamin A in young animals drives mitochondrial and cell cycle dysfunction in muscle stem cells that mimics old age. Next, we pharmacologically targeted retinoic acid signaling in myoblasts and aged muscle stem cells ex vivo and in vivo and observed reductions in oxidative damage, enhanced mitochondrial function, and improved maintenance of quiescence through fatty acid oxida

SUBMITTER: Fraczek PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12128968 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature