Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs)

Are regarded as one of essential cell sources for treating regenerative diseases. Among many stem cells, the feasibility of using adult-derived hematopoietic stem cells in therapeutic approaches is very diverse, and is unarguably regarded as an important cell source in stem cell biology. So far, many investigators are exploring HSCs and modified HSCs for use in clinical and basic science. In the present review, we briefly summarized HSCs and their application in pathophysiologic conditions, including non-hematopoietic tissue regeneration as well as blood disorders. HSCs and HSCs-derived progenitors are promising cell sources in regenerative medicine and their contributions can be properly applied to treat pathophysiologic conditions. Among many adult stem cells, HSCs are a powerful tool to treat patients with diseases such as hematologic malignancies and liver disease. Since HSCs can be differentiated into diverse progenitors including endothelial progenitors, they may be useful for constructing strategies for effective therapy.

Hematopoietic stem cells(HPSCs) are the stem cells that give rise to other blood cells. This process is called haematopoiesis. In vertebrates, the very first definitive HSCs arise from the ventral endothelial wall of the embryonic aorta within the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region, through a process known as endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition.

HSCs are the most powerful cell sources to treat diverse diseases and regenerative medicine. Since HSCs can be differentiated into progenitors including endothelial progenitors and mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells, it may be useful to construct strategies for effective therapy in pathologic issues. Especially, the treatment of liver diseases using stem cell therapy has been improved, and there has been evidence of a positive effect from stem cells. Although the mechanism by which stem cells ameliorate diseases such as liver and blood disorders remain unclear, positive results are continuously reported for their use in regenerative medicine. These results strongly suggest that further research using stem cells will be required to fully elucidate potential adverse effects, such as immune rejection, and understanding HSCs will be helpful for further expansion with feasibility of using stem cells in regenerative medicine.