Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
06:41
Isolation Method for Long-Term and Short-Term Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Published on: May 19, 2023
Stem cell heterogeneity: implications for aging and regenerative medicine
Christa E Muller-Sieburg1, Hans B Sieburg, Jeff M Bernitz
1Sanford-Burnham Institute for Medical Research, 10901 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. cmuller@burnham.org
Blood
|March 13, 2012
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are not uniform. Discovering distinct HSC subpopulations with preprogrammed behaviors revolutionizes understanding of HSC aging and regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were historically considered a homogeneous population.
- Recent research challenges this view, revealing significant heterogeneity within HSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate distinct subpopulations within the HSC compartment.
- To characterize the unique differentiation and proliferation behaviors of these subpopulations.
- To explore the implications of HSC heterogeneity for aging and regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Classification of HSCs based on differentiation capacity (myeloid-biased, balanced, lymphoid-biased).
- Epigenetic analysis to understand the stability of HSC programs.
- Developmental and aging studies in mice and humans to track subset distribution.
Main Results:
- HSCs comprise distinct subpopulations with fixed, preprogrammed differentiation and proliferation behaviors.
- These behaviors are epigenetically determined and stably inherited.
- HSC subset distribution is developmentally regulated, with shifts observed during aging.
Conclusions:
- The HSC compartment is heterogeneous, not homogeneous.
- HSC aging is influenced by the accumulation of specific biased subpopulations.
- Understanding HSC heterogeneity is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine and aging research.
More Related Videos
09:32Collection of Serum- and Feeder-free Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-conditioned Medium for a Cell-free Approach
Published on: January 8, 2017
11:02Identification and Analysis of Myogenic Progenitors In Vivo During Acute Skeletal Muscle Injury by High-Dimensional Single-Cell Mass Cytometry
Published on: December 1, 2023
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...
01:17Stem Cell Culture
Stem cell research aims to find ways to use stem cells to regenerate and repair cellular damage. Over time, most adult cells undergo the wear and tear of aging and lose their ability to divide and repair themselves. Stem cells do not display a particular morphology or function. Adult stem cells, which exist as a small subset of cells in most tissues, keep dividing and can differentiate into a number of specialized cells generally formed by that tissue. These cells enable the body to renew and...
01:22iPS Cell Differentiation
The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
01:21Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration
Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...
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...
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...