title: Genetic network analysis of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/precursor cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Somatic CD34+ hematopoietic stem/precursor cells (HSPCs) give rise to hematopoietic cells and endothelial cells and have been used in clinical applications. Understanding the genes responsible for stemness and how they interact with each other will help us to manipulate these cells more efficiently in the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed microarray analysis on human CD34+ HSPCs and on two different progeny cell types, i.e. microvascular endothelial cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Systems biology and advanced bioinformatics tools were used to help clarify the genetic networks associated with these stem cell genes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified CD34+ HSPC genes and found that they were involved in critical biologic processes such as cell cycle regulation, chromosome organization, and DNA repair. We also identified a novel precursor gene cluster on chromosome 19p13.3. Analysis of HSPC-enriched genes using systems biology tools revealed a complex genetic network functioning in CD34+ cells, in which several genes acted as hubs to maintain the stability (such as GATA1) or connectivity (such as hepatic growth factor) of the whole network.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides the foundation for a more detailed understanding of CD34+ HSPCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, and National Tsing Hua University, HsinChu, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shing-Jyh
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Tse-Sung
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Kung-Liahng
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tao-Yeuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuh-Cheng
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Margaret Dah-Tsyr
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yu-Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hsei-Wei
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics; D002888:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 / Q000235:genetics; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000235:genetics; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D050989:GATA2 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D050989:GATA2 Transcription Factor; C494711:GATA2 protein, human; C066855:HGF protein, human; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor