Abnormal Proliferation and Differentiation of Hematopoietic Cells in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a group of clonal disorders of hematopoietic stem cells characterized by peripheral cytopenia, ineffective hematopoiesis, morphologically apparent multilineage dysplasia, and enhanced risk of evolution towards acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Most of the research findings have verified the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells in MDS. The defects of cellular and molecular factors such as transcription factors (GATA-1~GATA-3, FOG1, Pu.1), growth factors (Epo, G-CSF, GM-CSF) and anti-apoptosis genes ultimately affect the cell cycle regulation and mismatch repair of DNA, changes of hematopoietic microenvironment and immune response. These defects result in ineffective hematopoiesis and dysplasia.