Lifespan differences in hematopoietic stem cells are due to imperfect repair and unstable mean-reversion.

ABSTRACT: The life-long supply of blood cells depends on the long-term function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs are functionally defined by their multi-potency and self-renewal capacity. Because of their self-renewal capacity, HSCs were thought to have indefinite lifespans. However, there is increasing evidence that genetically identical HSCs differ in lifespan and that the lifespan of a HSC is predetermined and HSC-intrinsic. Lifespan is here defined as the time a HSC gives rise to all mature blood cells. This raises the intriguing question: what controls the lifespan of HSCs within the same animal, exposed to the same environment? We present here a new model based on reliability theory to account for the diversity of lifespans of HSCs. Using clonal repopulation experiments and computation

SUBMITTER: Sieburg HB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3630147 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature