Journal article

Deciphering Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Their Niches: A Critical Appraisal of Genetic Models, Lineage Tracing, and Imaging Strategies

C Joseph, JM Quach, CR Walkley, SW Lane, C Lo Celso, LE Purton

Cell Stem Cell | Published : 2013

Abstract

In recent years, technical developments in mouse genetics and imaging equipment have substantially advanced our understanding of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their niche. The availability of numerous Cre strains for targeting HSCs and microenvironmental cells provides extensive flexibility in experimental design, but it can also pose significant challenges due to strain-specific differences in cell specificity. Here we outline various genetic approaches for isolating, detecting, and ablating HSCs and niche components and provide a guide for advantages and caveats to consider. We also discuss opportunities and limitations presented by imaging technologies that allow investigation of HS..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Grants

Awarded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council


Funding Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. C. Maes for reading and commenting on the manuscript. This work was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC; to C.R.W., S.W.L., and L.E.P.); the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (to C.R.W. and L.E.P.); a NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (L.E.P.); the Association for International Cancer Research (to L.E.P.); the Career Establishment Award from Cancer Research U.K. (to C.L.C.), and in part by the Victorian State Government Operational Infrastructure Support Program (to St. Vincent's Institute of Medical Research). C.R.W. is the Philip Desbrow Senior Research Fellow of the Leukaemia Foundation and S.W.L is a fellow of the Leukaemia Foundation.