Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
09:32
Clonal Analysis of Embryonic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Precursors Using Single Cell Index Sorting Combined with Endothelial Cell Niche Co-culture
Published on: May 8, 2018
Hematopoietic stem cell origin of connective tissues
Makio Ogawa1, Amanda C Larue, Patricia M Watson
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC29401-5799, USA. ogawam@musc.edu
Experimental Hematology
|April 24, 2010
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells, not just mesenchymal stem cells, can generate connective tissues like bone and cartilage. This finding challenges traditional views on tissue development and has significant implications for regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Connective tissue biology
- Stem cell research
- Hematopoiesis
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Connective tissues include loose, dense, blood, adipose, cartilage, and bone.
- Fibroblasts are the main cells in loose and dense connective tissues.
- Mesenchymal stem cells were traditionally considered the sole source of connective tissue cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental evidence supporting a hematopoietic stem cell origin for connective tissues.
- To discuss the implications of this new understanding for translational applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies, including laboratory research involving single hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
- Analysis of experimental data demonstrating the differentiation potential of hematopoietic stem cells into connective tissue lineages.
Main Results:
- Transplantation studies strongly suggest that hematopoietic stem cells can generate various adult mesenchymal tissues.
- This challenges the long-held belief in the exclusive role of mesenchymal stem cells in connective tissue formation.
Conclusions:
- Hematopoietic stem cells are a potential source for multiple connective tissue cell types, including fibroblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and bone cells.
- This paradigm shift has profound implications for understanding tissue development and advancing regenerative medicine strategies.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
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...
01:34Production 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...
01:20Overview 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...
01:20Embryonic Connective Tissues
During early development, the embryo forms two types of connective tissues— the mesenchyme and mucoid connective tissue.
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development. Mesenchyme is...
The mesenchyme is the first connective tissue that emerges in the developing embryo. It consists of loosely arranged multipotent mesenchymal cells and reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix. This loose arrangement allows easy migration of cells, which is essential for germ layer positioning, patterning, and organ morphogenesis during embryonic development. Mesenchyme is...