The human and murine hematopoietic stem cell niches: are they comparable?

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1370; no. 1; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: van Pel, Melissa, Fibbe, Willem E., Schepers, Koen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Differentiation - physiology; coculture; Genes; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; hematopoietic stem cells; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - cytology; Hematopoietic Stem Cells - metabolism; Humans; mesenchymal stromal cell; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - metabolism; Mice; Rodents; stem cell niche; Stem Cell Niche - physiology; Stem cells; xenograft model; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; stem cell niche; xenograft model; coculture; mesenchymal stromal cell; hematopoietic stem cells
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/nyas.12994

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specific niches that provide various instructive cues that regulate HSC self‐renewal and their development into all mature cells of the peripheral blood. Progress in this research field has largely been guided by mouse studies. However, parallel studies with human subjects, tissues, and cells, in combination with xenotransplantation experiments in immunodeficient mice, have contributed to our increased understanding of the human HSC niche. Here, we summarize our current knowledge of the various specialized subsets of both stromal and hematopoietic cells that support HSCs through cell–cell interactions and secreted factors, and the many parallels between the murine and human HSC niches. Furthermore, we discuss recent technological advances that are likely to improve our understanding of the human HSC niche, a better understanding of which may allow further identification of unique molecular and cellular pathways in the HSC niche. This information may help to further improve the outcome of HSC transplantation and refine the treatment of hematopoietic diseases.