Hematopoietic stem cells in aplastic anemia

Profound cytopenia involving all blood lineages, a hallmark of aplastic anemia (AA), can result in devastating morbidity and high mortality. Although various etiologies and distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms may be involved, a profound defect in the stem cell compartment is a unifying feature in most patients with AA. As a stem cell disease, AA is very instructive and provides insights into the function and quantity of normal hematopoietic stem cells and their ability to regenerate. Pathophysiologically, understanding of AA may reveal mechanisms as to the evolution of other related bone marrow failure syndromes such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and myelodysplasia-clonal diseases of hematopoiesis associated with defective stem cells. Conversely, constitutional forms of AA occurring in association with Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita demonstrate the role of specific genes and pathways in the dysfunction of the stem cells leading to the failure of the stem cell compartment. The acquired mechanisms resulting in depletion of stem cells in AA may involve fundamental pathways such as apoptosis and senescence as well as exhaustion of proliferative capacity or excessive differentiation. Inherent in the paucity of the bone marrow in AA, the study of the stem cells in AA has been very difficult due to their natural rarity and disease-specific contraction of the stem cell pool. Despite these scientific challenges, laboratory studies and systematic clinical observation provide valuable information of significance beyond its specific application to AA.