Overview

• A study published in *Blood* identifies Clusterin (Clu) as a reliable molecular marker distinguishing aged hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from youthful ones.
• Researchers developed Clu-GFP reporter mice, enabling efficient tracking of Clu+ aged HSCs through green fluorescent protein expression.
• Clu+ HSCs, which increase with age, exhibit a bias toward myeloid and platelet differentiation, contributing to age-related immune and hematopoietic changes.
• In contrast, Clu– HSCs maintain balanced differentiation profiles similar to younger stem cells, highlighting functional divergence with aging.
• Ongoing research aims to understand the mechanisms driving Clu+ HSC expansion and explore therapeutic strategies to rejuvenate aged hematopoietic systems.