Title: The Nature of the Haematopoietic Stem Cell Niche
Author: Nasser Alhamzi
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v11i1.27
Abstract
Introduction
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for regulating the turnover of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and platelets including immune cells by switching between the cellular mechanisms of self-regeneration, quiescence, differentiation, and dormancy(1). However, self-renewal occurs only within the HSC niche. In this regard, the HSC niche is a specific anatomical location (node) in which HSCs reside and undergo self-regeneration. HSCs anatomically located outside the HSC niche have no microenvironments to support self-regeneration but can undergo cellular differentiation to produce mature erythrocytes and platelets(1,2). Therefore, HSCs and their associated niches are responsible for haemostatic balance during steady state and in response to cellular injury due to bleeding, hypoxia or infection(1, 3).
The HSC niche has become a central area of study, with studies increasingly focusing on the identification and characterisation of cells making up the HSC niche(2). There is growing evidence that the HSC niche has important role in the pathogenesis of haematopoietic diseases such as myeloproliferative syndrome (MPS) and other congenital haematological diseases(4). Therefore, the success of such studies is likely to enhance the development biotherapies targeting stem cells to induce remission of such haematopoietic diseases(4).
This paper critically examines the current state of understanding about HSCs and the nature of the HSC niche
