Neuromodulation of hematopoiesis: a hypothesis

The possibility that Hematopoiesis is under CNS control has been discussed in the literature; but never been conclusively proved at the molecular level. Evidence in the form of antigenic similarity between murine brain and the Stem Cell, and the decline in the number of Stem Cells following the lesioning of the Locus Coeruleus Nucleus exists. The recent establishment of the CNS control of the Immune System which had been previously proposed on similar evidence is discussed. It is suggested that the advances in the study of Colony Stimulating Factors (CSFs) provide an opportunity to test the role of Neurotransmitters on the proliferation/differentiation of Stem Cells. A series of experiments using CSF-dependent and CSF-independent cell lines and the biochemical basis of CSF activity to detect neurological influences are proposed. A model of a CNS regulatory mechanism is proposed, and used to explain many unexplained features of the in vivo activity of the CSFs.