Thrombopoietin, HSCs, and the osteoblast niche: holding on loosely, but not letting G0.
New findings in this issue of Cell Stem Cell by Qian et al. (2007) and Yoshihara et al. (2007) reveal that thrombopoietin modulates hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cell-cycle progression at the osteoblast surface, linking a single cytokine with a specific postnatal niche cell. These observations indicate that simultaneous stimulation and suspension in a G(0) state are critical for maintenance of the HSC pool.
Emerson
Stephen G
SG
Haverford College, Haverford, PA 19041, USA. semerson@haverford.edu
D000818:Animals; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D013926:Thrombopoietin