Penn study reveals origin of blood stem cells

A research team at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered a molecular marker for the immediate production of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the developing embryo. HSCs, found in the bone marrow of adult mammals, are responsible for producing all of the blood cell types in the body. Before this study was conducted, earlier studies hinted that HSCs originated from a tiny population of cells called endothelial cells, but it was unknown which of these endothelial cells moved to blood stem cells during development. Scientists can make blood stem cells from endothelial cells now, but not all become stem cells. This discovery enables scientists to identify which enodthelial cells become stem cells. Some potential uses are the use of HSCs therapies for leukemia patients which will enable them to produce their own blood cells.


SOURCE: Penn Medicine New Release