Dynamic expression of the Robo ligand Slit2 in bone marrow cell populations

• DOI: 10.4161/cc.11.4.19146
• Publication Date: 2012-02-21T21:49:37Z
• Authors: Stephanie Smith-B...; Koen Schepers; Alan Ly; Emmanuelle Passegué; E. Camilla Forsberg
• Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell

The bone marrow (BM) niche is essential for lifelong hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance, proliferation and differentiation. Several BM types, including osteoblast lineage cells (OBC), mesenchymal (MSC) endothelial (EC) have been implicated in supporting HSC location function, but the relative importance of these types their secreted ligands remain controversial. We recently found that surface receptors Robo4 CXCR4 cooperate to localize niches. hypothesized Slit2, a putative ligand Robo4, cooperates with SDF1 direct specific sites. Here, we isolated OBC, MSC EC by flow cytometry determined frequency within mRNA levels Robo4. expression Slit2 were dynamically regulated OBC-like populations following radiation, while was restricted EC. Radiation also significantly affected cellularity both non-adherent adherent stroma. These data support physiological role regulating dynamic function Robo-expressing niches at steady state radiation.