title: TGF-β signaling in the control of hematopoietic stem cells.
abstract: Blood is a tissue with high cellular turnover, and its production is a tightly orchestrated process that requires constant replenishment. All mature blood cells are generated from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are the self-renewing units that sustain lifelong hematopoiesis. HSC behavior, such as self-renewal and quiescence, is regulated by a wide array of factors, including external signaling cues present in the bone marrow. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family of cytokines constitutes a multifunctional signaling circuitry, which regulates pivotal functions related to cell fate and behavior in virtually all tissues of the body. In the hematopoietic system, TGF-β signaling controls a wide spectrum of biological processes, from homeostasis of the immune system to quiescence and self-renewal of HSCs. Here, we review key features and emerging concepts pertaining to TGF-β and downstream signaling pathways in normal HSC biology, featuring aspects of aging, hematologic disease, and how this circuitry may be exploited for clinical purposes in the future.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karlsson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta