“Spatial and metabolic regulation of hematopoietic progenitors in BM” 

Abstract –  In humans the daily production of billions of new blood cells is supported by a specialized group of cells called hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs are located in the bone marrow, where they give rise to several types of hematopoietic progenitors that in turn generate all the different blood cells necessary for life. To be maintained, HSCs and hematopoietic progenitors need to receive several signals and nutrients from their environment: failure to do so can lead to the development of blood disorders such as anaemia. Although the specialized environment, called niche, that support HSC has been extensively characterized, less is known about the niche for the other hematopoietic progenitors present in the bone marrow. In addition, how nutrition and the diet affect the function of HSCs and hematopoietic progenitors is an open question. In my presentation I will show that hematopoietic progenitors reside in different niches compared to HSCs in the bone marrow. Furthermore, I will show that vitamin C, a nutrient derived from the diet, is an important regulator of HSC and hematopoietic progenitor function. My studies have thus the potential to uncover novel strategies to prevent the development and progression of blood disorders.