Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Human Bone Marrow 3D Model to Investigate the Dynamics and Interactions Between Resident Cells in Physiological or Tumoral Contexts
Published on: December 16, 2022
Human osteoblasts support hematopoietic cell development in vitro
Yusuke Shiozawa1, Hisami Takenouchi, Tomoko Taguchi
1Department of Developmental Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
Background/Aim:
Although osteoblasts are thought to be the major component of the hematopoietic stem cell niche in the bone marrow microenvironment, the role of osteoblasts in hematopoiesis is still unclear. The ability of human osteoblasts to support early hematopoiesis was investigated.
Methods And Results:
Human CD34+ bone marrow cells cultured on human osteoblasts were capable of surviving without addition of cytokines and differentiated into myeloid cells with slight proliferation. The results of immunohistochemical experiments suggested activation of FAK and AKT in hematopoietic cells attached to osteoblasts. When stem cell factor, Flt3-L, and IL-3 were added to the coculture system, each cytokine distinctively enhanced proliferation and differentiation of CD34+ bone marrow cells.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that human osteoblasts have the ability to support hematopoietic cell development in vitro.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Hematopoiesis
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...
Hematopoiesis
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Production of Formed Elements
Most HSCs commit to...
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...

