What is telomere shortening?

Telomere shortening refers to the gradual reduction in the length of telomeres that occurs as a result of cell division. Each time a cell divides, the DNA replication process does not fully replicate the ends of chromosomes, leading to the loss of a small portion of the telomere. Over time, as cells continue to divide, the telomeres become progressively shorter. When telomeres reach a critically short length, cells enter a state of senescence (permanent growth arrest) or undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death). Telomere shortening is linked to aging, the decline in tissue regeneration, and an increased risk of age-related diseases.