Hematopoietic niche and bone meet.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in the bone marrow. In addition to highlighting recent advances in the field, we will also discuss components of the niche that may contribute to the development of cancer, or cancer metastases to the bone.


RESULTS
Much progress has been very recently made in the understanding of the cellular and molecular interactions in the HSC microenvironment. These recent findings point out the extraordinary complexity of the HSC microenvironment. Emerging data also suggest convergence of signals important for HSC and for leukemia or metastatic disease support.


CONCLUSIONS
The HSC niche comprises complex interactions between multiple cell types and molecules requiring cell-cell signaling as well as local secretion. These components can be thought of as therapeutic targets not only for HSC expansion, but also to modify behavior of hematopoietic malignancies and cancer metastases to the bone.
Frisch
Benjamin J
BJ
Endocrine Division, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Porter
Rebecca L
RL
Calvi
Laura M
LM
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology