Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2013, Vol. 0 ›› Issue (8): 17-22.

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Advances in Cellular and Molecular Basis of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche

Liu Jiajia, Zhang Yiting, Peng Hang, Liu Pengxia   

  1. (National Research Center for Animal Transgenic Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021)
  • Received:2013-03-17 Revised:2013-08-11 Online:2013-08-11 Published:2013-09-02

Abstract: Hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs)are thought to reside in specific three-dimensional spatial structure, know as the hematopoietic microenviroment or niche. Studies on stem cells have shown that stem cell function is controlled by intrinsic genetic programs within the stem cell and by extracellular cues from the niche. The niche provides the extrinsic molecular mechanisms that control stem cell maintenance, self-renewal and differentiation. Nevertheless, the structure as well as cellular and molecular basis for niche activity, have long remained a ‘black box’. Elucidating the mechanisms holds many promises for future clinical applications and regenerative medicine. We reviewed the remarkable progress recently made in characterizing the composition of the niche and the molecular crosstalk between HSCs and the cellular constituents of the niche.

Key words: Hematopoietic stem cell, Hematopoietic microenviroment, Niche, Signaling