The Nlrp3 inflammasome – the evolving story of its positive and negative effects on hematopoiesis
Purpose of review
Hematopoiesis is co-regulated by innate immunity, which is an ancient evolutionary defense mechanism also involved in the development and regeneration of damaged tissues. This review seeks to shed more light on the workings of the Nlrp3 inflammasome, which is an intracellular innate immunity pattern recognition receptor and sensor of changes in the hematopoietic microenvironment, and focus on its role in hematopoieisis.
Recent findings
Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) are exposed to several external mediators of innate immunity. Moreover, since hemato/lymphopoietic cells develop from...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - June 11, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: HEMATOPOIESIS: Edited by Hal E Broxmeyer and Maegan L Capitano Source Type: research
Cellular components of the hematopoietic niche and their regulation of hematopoietic stem cell function
Purpose of review
Development and functions of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are regulated by multiple cellular components of the hematopoietic niche. Here we review the recent advances in studying the role of three such components -- osteoblasts, osteomacs, and megakaryocytes and how they interact with each other in the hematopoietic niche to regulate HSC.
Recent findings
Recent advances in transgenic mice models, scRNA-seq, transcriptome profile, proteomics, and live animal imaging have revealed the location of HSC within the bone and signaling molecules required for the maintenance of the niche. Interaction ...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - June 11, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: HEMATOPOIESIS: Edited by Hal E Broxmeyer and Maegan L Capitano Source Type: research
Consequences of coronavirus infections for primitive and mature hematopoietic cells: new insights and why it matters
Purpose of review
In recent history there have been three outbreaks of betacoronavirus infections in humans, with the most recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; causing Coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) outbreak leading to over two million deaths, with a rapidly rising death toll. Much remains unknown about host cells and tissues affected by coronavirus infections, including the hematopoietic system. Here, we discuss the recent findings examining effects that coronavirus infection or exposure has on hematopoietic cells and the clinical implications for these effects.
Recent findings ...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - June 11, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: HEMATOPOIESIS: Edited by Hal E Broxmeyer and Maegan L Capitano Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Hematology)
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - June 11, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
Single-cell RNA sequencing to study vascular diversity and function
Purpose of review
Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can capture the transcriptional profile of thousands of individual cells concurrently from complex tissues and with remarkable resolution. Either with the goal of seeking information about distinct cell subtypes or responses to a stimulus, the approach has provided robust information and promoted impressive advances in cardiovascular research. The goal of this review is to highlight strategies and approaches to leverage this technology and bypass potential caveats related to evaluation of the vascular cells.
Recent findings
As the most recent technological...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Enhancing cardiovascular research with whole-organ imaging
Purpose of review
There have been tremendous advances in the tools available for surveying blood vessels within whole organs and tissues. Here, we summarize some of the recent developments in methods for immunolabeling and imaging whole organs and provide a protocol optimized for the heart.
Recent findings
Multiple protocols have been established for chemically clearing large organs and variations are compatible with cell type-specific labeling. Heart tissue can be successfully cleared to reveal the three-dimensional structure of the entire coronary vasculature in neonatal and adult mice. Obtaining vascular reco...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Methods to quantify endothelial cell front-rear polarity in vivo and in vitro
We present a literature-based review of the methods available to study EC polarity. Further refinement of quantitative methods to analyse EC axial polarity using deep learning-based computational tools will generate new understanding on the aetiology of vascular malformations. (Source: Current Opinion in Hematology)
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
A zebrafish toolbox for biomechanical signaling in cardiovascular development and disease
Purpose of review
The zebrafish embryo has emerged as a powerful model organism to investigate the mechanisms by which biophysical forces regulate vascular and cardiac cell biology during development and disease. A versatile arsenal of methods and tools is available to manipulate and analyze biomechanical signaling. This review aims to provide an overview of the experimental strategies and tools that have been utilized to study biomechanical signaling in cardiovascular developmental processes and different vascular disease models in the zebrafish embryo. Within the scope of this review, we focus on work published durin...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Intricacies of conditional genetics in vascular biology
Purpose of review
Conditional or inducible recombinase-based genetics is still the gold standard to analyse gene function, given its high specificity, temporal control, limited toxicity and the many available genetic tools. However, it is based on methods that have inherent limitations and shortcomings. The purpose of this review is to summarize and contrast the different available methods used to perform conditional gene function analysis to better inform the community about their particularities and the need to use better methods.
Recent findings
As any other biomedical field, the vascular biology field has mo...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Mouse models of vascular development and disease
Purpose of review
The use of genetic models has facilitated the study of the origins and mechanisms of vascular disease. Mouse models have been developed to specifically target endothelial cell populations, with the goal of pinpointing when and where causative mutations wreck their devastating effects. Together, these approaches have propelled the development of therapies by providing an in-vivo platform to evaluate diagnoses and treatment options. This review summarizes the most widely used mouse models that have facilitated the study of vascular disease, with a focus on mouse models of vascular malformations and the ...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Editorial: New technological developments and their impact in vascular research
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Hematology)
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: VASCULAR BIOLOGY: Edited by M. Luisa Iruela-Arispe Source Type: research
Ineffective erythropoiesis in sickle cell disease: new insights and future implications
Purpose of review
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemolytic anemia caused by a point mutation in the β globin gene leading to the expression of an abnormal hemoglobin (HbS) that polymerizes under hypoxic conditions driving red cell sickling. Circulating red cells have been extensively characterized in SCD, as their destruction and removal from peripheral blood are the major contributors to anemia. However, few reports showed cellular abnormalities during erythropoiesis in SCD, suggesting that anemia could also be influenced by defects of central origin.
Recent findings
El Hoss et al. demonstrated ineffective ery...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: ERYTHROID SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASES: Edited by Narla Mohandas and Sandrina Kinet Source Type: research
Heterogeneity of fetal hemoglobin production in adult red blood cells
Purpose of review
Small amounts of fetal hemoglobin can be expressed in a subset of adult red blood cells called F-cells. This review examines the potential mechanisms and clinical implications of the heterogeneity of fetal hemoglobin expression.
Recent findings
Although the heterocellular nature of fetal hemoglobin expression in adult red blood cells has been noted for over 70 years, the molecular basis of this phenomenon has been unclear. Recent discoveries of novel regulators of fetal hemoglobin as well as technological advances have shed new light on these cells.
Summary
Fetal hemoglobin reactivation ...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: ERYTHROID SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASES: Edited by Narla Mohandas and Sandrina Kinet Source Type: research
Erythroid cells and malaria parasites: it's a match!
Purpose of review
The current review outlines recent discoveries on the infection of erythroid cells by Plasmodium parasites, focusing on the molecular interactions governing the tropism of parasites for their host cell and the implications of this tropism for parasite biology and erythroid cell maturation.
Recent findings
Although most studies about the interactions of Plasmodium parasites and their host cell focused on the deadliest human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and the erythrocyte, there is increasing evidence that several Plasmodium species, including P. falciparum, also develop within eryth...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: ERYTHROID SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASES: Edited by Narla Mohandas and Sandrina Kinet Source Type: research
Proteomic/transcriptomic analysis of erythropoiesis
Purpose of review
Erythropoiesis is a hierarchical process by which hematopoietic stem cells give rise to red blood cells through gradual cell fate restriction and maturation. Deciphering this process requires the establishment of dynamic gene regulatory networks (GRNs) that predict the response of hematopoietic cells to signals from the environment. Although GRNs have historically been derived from transcriptomic data, recent proteomic studies have revealed a major role for posttranscriptional mechanisms in regulating gene expression during erythropoiesis. These new findings highlight the need to integrate proteomic d...
Source: Current Opinion in Hematology - April 3, 2021 Category: Hematology Tags: ERYTHROID SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASES: Edited by Narla Mohandas and Sandrina Kinet Source Type: research
