Research Perspective Volume 2, Issue 11 pp 875—883

Figure 4. Hypothesis of developmental deposition of Oct4⁺ epiblast-derived VSELs in adult tissues and their depletion by chronic Insulin/Igf signaling. (A) Epiblast-derived VSELs are deposited in developing tissues as a backup population of SCs for production of TCSCs. (B) VSELs play a role in rejuvenation of tissues and organs as a source of TCSCs. Prolonged signaling by Insulin, Igf-1, and Igf-2 may lead to premature depletion of these cells (e.g., due to high caloric uptake). By contrast, a decrease in Insulin/Igf signaling (e.g., by caloric restriction) may ameliorate the age-related decrease in the number and pluripotency (e.g., as indicated by the Oct4 promoter state) of these cells.