Embryonic stem cells and hematopoietic stem cell biology.
Two advances in murine embryonic stem (ES) cell technology and their applications for the study of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are discussed in this article. First, ES cells induced to differentiate in vitro form hematopoietic lineages in a fashion that recapitulates the ontogeny of blood formation in the embryo. This system offers a unique opportunity to isolate, examine, and manipulate the most primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Second, targeted gene ablation (knockout) studies in ES cells have identified several genes that are required for normal hematopoiesis and may function in the formation, maintenance, and differentiation of HSCs. Insights into murine hematopoiesis gained through the study of ES cells generally should be applicable to other vertebrates, including humans.
Weiss
M J
MJ
Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000235:genetics; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D013234:Stem Cells