Complex mammalian-like haematopoietic system found in a colonial chordate.

ABSTRACT: Haematopoiesis is an essential process that evolved in multicellular animals. At the heart of this process are haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which are multipotent and self-renewing, and generate the entire repertoire of blood and immune cells throughout an animal's life¹. Although there have been comprehensive studies on self-renewal, differentiation, physiological regulation and niche occupation in vertebrate HSCs, relatively little is known about the evolutionary origin and niches of these cells. Here we describe the haematopoietic system of Botryllus schlosseri, a colonial tunicate that has a vasculature and circulating blood cells, and interesting stem-cell biology and immunity characteristics^2-8. Self-recognition between genetically compatible B. schlosseri c

SUBMITTER: Rosental B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6347970 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature