Hematopoietic stem cells research review

Hematopoietic stem cell - the single pluripotent cell that can give rise to all lymphoid, myeloid and erythroid cell lin­eages, and repopul ate an ablated hema­topoietic system. So far these are the most investigated stem cells and are used for transplantation in clinical practice. Increasing quantity of research studies give more information about biological processes in hematopoietic stem cells, their functions, characteristics and appli­cation potential in regenerative medi-

cine. This article provides background in­formation about hematopoietic stem cells. In vitro (long-term culture-initiating cell, cobblestone area-forming cell, colony form­ing cell) and in vivo (competitive repopulat­ing unit, xenogeneic transplantation) as­says of hematopoietic stem cells and pro­genitors are reviewed and attention is drawn on genetic assays and imaging tech­nique - bioluminescence imaging. The first recognized and most frequently used hematopoietic stem cells marker CD34 is analysed in detail. Other surface and metabolic markers are also discussed. Lineage markers expressed on T cells, B cells, NK cells, myeloid and erythroid lineage cells and their role in hemato­poietic stem cells enrichment are high­lighted. New hematopoietic stem cell markers are analysed: ALDH, SLAM, “Side popu- ation” cells and CD201. The article contains the newest information on allogenic and autol ogic transplant a- tion frequency worldwide. Finally, over­view of allogeneic and autologous hema­topoietic stem cell transplantation advantages and disadvantages as well as transplantation indications is presented.

Keywords: hematopoietic stem cell, CD34, phenotype, regenerative medicine.