Regulation of hematopoiesis by hematopoietic stem cell niche

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) possess unique abilities such as self-renewal and differentiation to generate their progeny throughout life. HSCs have been shown to reside in a specifi c microenvironment called “HSC niche” in the bone marrow, and various types of cells have been identifi ed as HSC niche components. Among them, a perivascular area in the bone marrow has been paid much attention as a microenvironment regulating HSCs. Recent studies revealed that both endothelial cells and perivascular stromal cells contribute to HSC maintenance or quiescence. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies uncovering the HSC niche function and focus on the roles of niche cells in the perivascular area.