Robo4 plays a role in bone marrow homing and mobilization, but is not essential in the long-term repopulating capacity of hematopoietic stem cells.

ABSTRACT: Roundabout (Robo) family proteins are immunoglobulin-type surface receptors critical for cellular migration and pathway finding of neuronal axons. We have previously shown that Robo4 was specifically expressed in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and its high expression correlated with long-term repopulating (LTR) capacity. To reveal the physiological role of Robo4 in hematopoiesis, we examined the effects of Robo4 disruption on the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitors. In Robo4-deficient mice, basic hematological parameters including complete blood cell count and differentiation profile were not affected. In contrast to the previous report, HSC/hematopoietic progenitor (HPC) frequencies in the bone marrow (BM) were perfectly normal in Robo4(-/-) mice. Moreover

SUBMITTER: Goto-Koshino Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3511340 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature