Home Theory Integrated Aging Theory Framework Glossary of Key Terms

Glossary of Key Terms

A conceptual guide to the terminology of the Integrated Aging Theory Framework

01

Foundational Concepts

These concepts define the overarching theoretical foundation of the Integrated Aging Theory Framework.

Key Terms

  • Integrated Aging Theory Framework
  • The Essence of Aging
  • Adult Stem Cell Theory of Organismal Aging
  • TRCS Model
  • Causality of Aging Hallmarks
Integrated Aging Theory Framework
The Essence of Aging Aging Is Fundamentally a Genetic Program
Mechanisms of Organismal Aging Adult Stem Cell Theory of Organismal Aging
Mechanisms of Cellular Senescence The TRCS Model
Causality of Aging Hallmarks

02

Temporal Regulatory Mechanisms of Genetic Program

To enable genes to undergo temporal expression, there must be a countdown element to drive the process.

Key Terms

  • Countdown Elements
  • Telomere DNA Shortening (Not Telomere Attrition)
  • rDNA Array Shortening / rDNA Copy Number Loss (Not rDNA Instability)
The gradual shortening of telomere and rDNA arrays serves as a countdown timer for cell replication and aging, equivalent to an hourglass timer. ©Photo by Andrej Lišakov.

03

Mechanisms of Organismal Aging

Organismal aging is caused by the replicative aging of adult stem cells in organs and tissues.

Key Terms

  • Adult Stem Cell Theory of Organismal Aging
  • Adult Stem Cells
  • Terminally Differentiated Cells
Diagram of organismal aging driven by replicative senescence of adult stem cells.
Organismal aging is caused by the replicative aging of adult stem cells in organs and tissues. ©Bilu Huang

04

Mechanisms of Cellular Aging

How do telomeres and rDNA arrays, as countdown elements, drive cellular senescence?

Key Terms

  • TRCS Model
  • Cellular Senescence
  • p53
Telomere DNA and ribosomal DNA co-regulation model for cell senescence.
The Telomere DNA and ribosomal DNA Co-regulation Model for Cell Senescence (TRCS Model). © Bilu Huang & Xiaowen Hu

05

Aging Hallmarks

How do countdown elements regulating cellular senescence drive downstream aging hallmarks and age-related diseases through p53?

Key Terms

  • Aging Hallmarks
  • Causality of Aging Hallmarks
  • Upstream Causes of Aging
  • Downstream Consequences of Aging
Diagram of eleven aging hallmarks mediated by p53.
The eleven major hallmarks of aging mediated by telomeres and rDNA through p53. © Bilu Huang & Xiaowen Hu
Author Bilu Huang
License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Explore Further

Conceptual Overview

A concise conceptual guide to the Integrated Aging Theory Framework.

Testable Predictions

Predictions and experimental directions derived from the Integrated Aging Theory Framework.

Coming Soon

Current Limitations

Key limitations and open questions within the current framework.

Coming Soon