SUMMARY
Kristina Kirschner, Ph.D., is a hematology researcher whose work mainly focuses on understanding the intricate relationship between age-related physiological changes and the onset and progression of cancer.
Dr. Kirschner's investigations are structured around three key areas:
- Physiological changes in blood stem cells. Dr. Kirschner explores how aging affects blood stem cells, both in typical aging processes and in accelerated processes.
- Blood stem cell aging and cancer. In this area of research, Dr. Kirschner delves into the connections between aging blood stem cells and their potential role in cancer development.
- Cellular senescence response in cancer and aging. Dr. Kirschner studies the cellular senescence response, particularly its implications in both cancer and the aging process.
Dr. Kirschner takes a multidisciplinary approach in her research methodology. This approach includes detailed mechanistic studies using biochemical and cell biological assays along with broader genome-wide investigations and bioinformatics analyses. For instance, she studies the effects of age-related changes at the single-cell level, bridging clinically relevant insights with data from extensive cohorts.
Focus areas
Aging in the hematopoietic compartment
Dr. Kirschner's team has significantly advanced scientific understanding of age-related heterogeneity within the hematopoietic system. Her group uncovered a link between proliferation and the depletion of hematopoietic stem cells, a crucial factor driving age-related biases favoring myeloid cells over the immune cell compartment. Dr. Kirschner is investigating the underlying mechanisms of stem cell depletion with the aim of discovering interventions to restore balance to immune cell function.
Hematopoietic stem cell aging and predisposition to cancer
Dr. Kirschner's team has shown that age-related clonal hematopoiesis in the blood of older adults correlates with accelerated overall aging. Using DNA methylation analysis to determine biological age, the team introduced a novel method to detect clonal hematopoiesis mutations from longitudinal data. This work sheds light on the fitness implications of these mutations in older age and led to the development of a framework predicting the time to clinical manifestation based on mutation fitness. The team is now investigating the impact of clonal fitness on the progression and outcomes of age-related and malignant diseases.
Mechanisms and consequences of senescence heterogeneity
Senescence represents a state of cell cycle arrest accompanied by a pro-tumorigenic secretome. Primary senescent cells can induce secondary senescence in neighboring cells. Dr. Kirschner's research unveiled distinctions in gene expression and secretome between these two senescent populations, suggesting diverse roles in cancer development. Her team is investigating the significance of senescence heterogeneity within the context of cancer and the tumor microenvironment. Understanding the interplay between different types of senescent cells and cancer holds promise for identifying novel targets for cancer therapy.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Kirschner's research is deeply rooted in translational goals, aiming to bridge scientific discoveries with clinical applications. Her work provides novel tools to estimate blood cancer risk and predict disease outcomes and offers molecular insights into the mechanistic events driving cancer transformation.
By leveraging these insights, Dr. Kirschner strives to develop innovative strategies to prevent or delay the onset of age-related conditions, thereby extending the healthy life span.
Recognizing blood as a systemic organ with far-reaching implications for overall organ function, Dr. Kirschner's research underscores the importance of understanding early age-related changes in the blood. These changes contribute to age-related conditions and play a pivotal role in the development of blood cancer.
By deciphering these intricate connections, Dr. Kirschner's research aids early detection and interventions, offering the potential to mitigate disease onset and improve patient outcomes.
Professional highlights
- Mayo Clinic Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging:
- Member, Executive Committee, 2024-present.
- Co-Leader, Cancer and Aging Program, 2024-present.
- Board of Directors, International Society for Experimental Hematology, 2023-2025.
- Guest Editor, Special Issue: New Culture Methods in Experimental Hematology, Experimental Hematology, 2024.
- Translational Research Training in Hematology joint award, European Hematology Association (EHA)/American Society of Hematology (ASH), 2018.