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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
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Directed Differentiation of Primitive and Definitive Hematopoietic Progenitors from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Published on: November 1, 2017
Hematopoiesis: an evolving paradigm for stem cell biology
Stuart H Orkin1, Leonard I Zon
1Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital Boston and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. stuart_orkin@dfci.harvard.edu
Cell
|February 26, 2008
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are crucial for blood system maintenance. This review explores their developmental origins and differentiation mechanisms, offering insights into broader stem cell biology and tissue homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- The blood system relies on self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
- HSCs reside in the bone marrow niche in adult mammals.
- Understanding HSCs is key to comprehending tissue homeostasis and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the developmental origins of HSCs.
- To describe molecular mechanisms regulating HSC lineage-specific differentiation.
- To highlight general insights from hematopoiesis for stem cell biology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on HSC development and function.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms governing differentiation.
- Synthesis of findings relevant to broader stem cell research.
Main Results:
- HSCs originate during embryonic development.
- Specific molecular pathways control lineage commitment.
- Cellular interactions and transcription factors are critical regulators.
- Phenotypes of HSCs vary with developmental stage and age.
Conclusions:
- Hematopoiesis offers a model for understanding stem cell behavior.
- Cellular interactions and transcription factor networks are vital for development and homeostasis.
- Stage- and age-specific differences in HSCs have significant implications for regenerative medicine and aging research.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Overview of Hematopoiesis
Hematopoiesis, or blood cell production, is a vital biological process that begins early in embryonic development and continues throughout life. This process generates the various types of cells found in blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
Developmental Phases of Hematopoiesis
Initially, HSCs are formed in the embryonic yolk sac, a critical site for early blood cell production. These stem cells subsequently migrate to other...
01:21Hematopoiesis
The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
01:34Production of Formed Elements
Hemangioblasts are multipotent stem cells originating from the mesoderm. They give rise to hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which undergo hematopoiesis to produce all the formed elements of blood. This process is regulated by a complex network of hematopoietic growth factors, including transcription factors, growth factors, and cytokines. These factors stimulate the HSCs to divide and differentiate, though some HSCs remain undifferentiated to maintain a self-renewing pool.
Most HSCs commit to...
Most HSCs commit to...
01:21Lineage Commitment
Commitment is the process whereby stem cells: