When hematopoietic stem cells from an old mouse are transplanted into a
younger mouse with irradiated bone marrow, the transplanted older stem cells are
unable to fully repopulate the host’s system. What is the best explanation for this
observation?
A. The younger stem cell niche is different from the older stem cell niche, and
thus cannot support the older stem cells.
B. The stem cells from the older donor are unable to survive in the younger
host’s stem cell niche.
C. The stem cells from the older host are out-competed by the stem cells
from the host for the bone marrow niche, and thus cannot divide.
D. The stem cells from the older host have undergone cellular senescence,
and thus cannot effectively divide.
E. The stem cells from the older host are destroyed by the younger host’s
immune system.