Abstract
The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) is arguably the most extensively characterized tissue stem cell. Since its identification by prospective isolation1, complex multi-parameter flow cytometric isolation of phenotypic subsets has facilitated studies on many aspects of HSC biology including, self-renewal2–4, differentiation, aging, niche5, and diversity6–8. Here we demonstrate by unbiased multi-step screening, identification of a single gene, Hoxb5 (homeobox B5 also known as Hox-2.1), whose expression in the bone marrow (BM) is limited to the long-term HSC (LT-HSC) in mice. Utilizing a single-color tri-mCherry reporter mouse driven by endogenous Hoxb5 regulation, only the Hoxb5-positive HSCs exhibit long-term reconstitution capacity after transplantation in primary transplant recipients, and critically, in secondary recipients. Only 7–35% of various previously defined immunophenotypic HSCs are LT-HSCs. Finally, by in situ imaging of mouse BM, we show that >94% of LT-HSC (Hoxb5+) are directly attached to VE-cadherin-positive cells, implicating a perivascular space as a near homogenous localization of the LT-HSC.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
