A resected rib in a young person can grow back with surprising ease—even if a large piece is missing. This remarkable healing ability was observed by Janice S. Lee, principal investigator of the Craniofacial Anomalies and Regeneration Section and Clinical Director at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), during reconstructive surgeries on young patients born with craniofacial anomalies. However, this regenerative capacity diminishes with age, as the body’s ability to repair bone declines dramatically over time.
In a new study published in Aging Cell, scientists have uncovered some of the reasons why age and skeletal maturity limit our ability to repair large-scale bone injuries. The research, led by a team from the National Institutes of Health in collaboration with the University of Southern California (USC), points to changes in the immune system and circulating signaling factors as key players in the decline of bone regeneration with age. The research was funded by the Intramural Research Programs of NIDCR and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).
To read more, visit https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news-events/nidcr-news/why-aging-matters-bone-healing-new-clues-rib.