# Hematopoietic (stem) cells—The elixir of life?

## TL;DR

This paper explores how rejuvenating hematopoietic stem cells in the blood system could improve overall health and delay aging-related diseases.

## Contribution

The paper proposes the blood system and hematopoietic stem cells as a central target for rejuvenation to improve systemic health during aging.

## Key findings

- Aging of hematopoietic stem cells is linked to dysfunction in other organs.
- Rejuvenating hematopoietic stem cells can slow aging in the heart, kidney, brain, and liver.
- Targeting the blood system may reduce age-related diseases and improve health span.

## Abstract

The long lifespan of humans is often not matched with health span. Thus, there is a need for rejuvenation strategies. Here, we first discuss the evolutionary benefits of the long human lifespan, particularly when coupled with an extended health span. We then highlight the importance of understanding the complexity of aging before interfering with it. This raises the question of the optimal target for rejuvenation. We propose the blood system and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Their decline is associated with dysfunction and disease in other organs, crystallizing them as a central player in organismal aging. We present rejuvenation strategies targeting the hematopoietic system, especially HSCs, and explore their systemic benefits. Overall, we summarize the potential of the blood system to reverse aging.

Impact statementThere is a current need to reduce the economic burden caused by aging‐related diseases. In this perspective article, we discuss the evidence that supports that rejuvenating or delaying aging of the blood system has a beneficial and systemic impact on human health.

There is a current need to reduce the economic burden caused by aging‐related diseases. In this perspective article, we discuss the evidence that supports that rejuvenating or delaying aging of the blood system has a beneficial and systemic impact on human health.

The aging of HSCs (hematopoietic stem cells) and the blood system leads to the decline of other organs. Rejuvenating aged HSCs improves the function of the blood system, slowing the aging of the heart, kidney, brain, and liver, and the occurrence of age‐related diseases. The blood system is therefore a promising target to improve organismal health during aging.