A state of prolonged biological function where individual cells maintain the molecular and functional characteristics typically associated with a younger organism, exhibiting high efficiency in energy production, DNA repair, and waste clearance. This concept represents the ultimate goal of regenerative medicine, focusing on preserving the cell’s structural integrity and metabolic vitality over a chronological lifespan. It is the core cellular manifestation of extended healthspan and disease resistance.
Origin
This term is a conceptualization within geroscience, merging the idea of continuous maintenance (“Sustained”) with the ideal functional state (“Youth”) at the fundamental level of the “Cellular” unit. It encapsulates the scientific ambition to prevent age-related decline at the molecular core, recognizing that systemic aging begins with cellular dysfunction.
Mechanism
Achieving this state relies on the continuous activity of cellular housekeeping mechanisms, including robust autophagy to clear damaged organelles and senescent cells. Furthermore, optimal mitochondrial function ensures efficient ATP generation with minimal reactive oxygen species production, preserving cellular machinery. Hormonal signaling, particularly balanced growth and repair signals, plays a key regulatory role in maintaining the necessary gene expression profile for perpetual cellular vitality and resilience.
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