Haematopoietic microenvironmental status of the 13-day mouse embryonal liver

The haematopoietic microenvironment which is provided by the stromal cells and extracellular matrix elements has been shown to influence the growth and differentiation of haematopoietic cells. However, most of the information thus far available has been derived from experiments performed using Long Term Bone Marrow Cultures and there is as yet no information regarding the haematopoietic microenvironmental status of the developing liver. Stroma were therefore established using 13-day embryonal liver cells, at a point in time when the liver shows peak haematopoietic activity. These stroma when compared to bone marrow stroma showed differences in histochemical staining. 2M NaCl extracts from 13-day embryonal liver were capable of binding pluripotent stem cells and on SDS-PAGE showed a 14 kDa band of increased intensity. The extracts could also induce erythroid colonies in a semisolid medium. However, 13-day embryonal liver stroma were unable to maintain bone marrow stem cells in culture and overall results would suggest differences between the stromal components of bone marrow and embryonal liver.