If scientists inhibited telomerase in human bone marrow stem cells during ex vivo culture before transplantation into a patient with aplastic anemia, which consequence follows?

💡 Explanation

Inhibiting telomerase prevents telomere lengthening, leading to accelerated telomere shortening with each cell division. Because critically shortened telomeres trigger cellular senescence due to DNA damage signaling, therefore accelerated cellular senescence will occur post-transplant, rather than enhanced regeneration, as the cells will have a limited proliferative capacity.

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