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The embryonic origins and genetic programming of emerging haematopoietic stem cells
Author(s) -
CiauUitz Aldo,
Patient Roger
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1002/1873-3468.12363
Subject(s) - haematopoiesis , biology , embryonic stem cell , stem cell , mesoderm , progenitor cell , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , dorsal aorta , genetics , lineage (genetic) , immunology , gene
Haematopoietic stem cells ( HSC s) emerge from the haemogenic endothelium ( HE ) localised in the ventral wall of the embryonic dorsal aorta ( DA ). The HE generates HSC s through a process known as the endothelial to haematopoietic transition ( EHT ), which has been visualised in live embryos and is currently under intense study. However, EHT is the culmination of multiple programming events, which are as yet poorly understood, that take place before the specification of HE . A number of haematopoietic precursor cells have been described before the emergence of definitive HSC s, but only one haematovascular progenitor, the definitive haemangioblast ( DH ), gives rise to the DA , HE and HSC s. DH s emerge in the lateral plate mesoderm ( LPM ) and have a distinct origin and genetic programme compared to other, previously described haematovascular progenitors. Although DH s have so far only been established in Xenopus embryos, evidence for their existence in the LPM of mouse and chicken embryos is discussed here. We also review the current knowledge of the origins, lineage relationships, genetic programming and differentiation of the DH s that leads to the generation of HSC s. Importantly, we discuss the significance of the gene regulatory network ( GRN ) that controls the programming of DH s, a better understanding of which may aid in the establishment of protocols for the de novo generation of HSC s in vitro .