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Increased survival of haemopoietic pluripotent stem cells in vitro induced by a marrow fibroblast factor
Abstract:
When mouse bone marrow was incubated in medium conditioned by marrow fibroblasts, the survival of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs) was considerably greater than when marrow was incubated in fresh medium. This increase in CFUs survival depended on the age of the marrow fibroblast culture, the initial number of cells in the culture, and the concentration of the conditioned medium. Medium conditioned by fibroblasts from other adult tissues--spleen, bone, and subcutaneous tissue--did not increase CFUs survival, but medium conditioned by embryo bone did. The increase in CFUs survival by marrow-fibroblast-conditioned medium was not accompanied by any change in the total number of nucleated cells of the incubated marrow nor by any comparable increase in the survival of granulopoietic stem cells (CFUc) or erythropoietic stem cells (BFUE). These results indicate that marrow fibroblasts produce a factor that increases the survival of CFUs, which may be involved in the role of marrow stroma in the control of haemopoiesis.
Insights
Marrow fibroblasts produce a factor that enhances the survival of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs). This finding is crucial for understanding how bone marrow stroma regulates blood cell formation (haemopoiesis).
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Stem cell biology
- Cell biology
Background:
- The bone marrow microenvironment, or stroma, plays a critical role in regulating hematopoiesis.
- Fibroblasts within the bone marrow stroma are key components of this microenvironment.
- Understanding the specific factors produced by stromal cells that influence hematopoietic stem cells is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of marrow fibroblast-conditioned medium on the survival of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs).
- To determine if factors produced by marrow fibroblasts specifically enhance CFU survival compared to other hematopoietic stem cell types.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of mouse bone marrow with medium conditioned by marrow fibroblasts.
- Incubation of mouse bone marrow with fresh medium as a control.
- Assessment of the survival rates of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs), granulopoietic stem cells (CFUc), and erythropoietic stem cells (BFUE).
- Varied parameters such as fibroblast culture age, cell number, and conditioned medium concentration.
Main Results:
- Medium conditioned by marrow fibroblasts significantly increased the survival of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs).
- This effect was dependent on fibroblast culture age, cell number, and medium concentration.
- Conditioned medium from other adult tissues did not enhance CFU survival, but embryonic bone-conditioned medium did.
- No comparable increase in survival was observed for granulopoietic (CFUc) or erythropoietic (BFUE) stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Marrow fibroblasts produce a soluble factor that specifically promotes the survival of pluripotent stem cells (CFUs).
- This factor may play a significant role in the supportive function of the bone marrow stroma in maintaining hematopoietic stem cell populations.
- The findings suggest a targeted mechanism by which stromal cells regulate early hematopoietic stem cell survival.