Am J Blood Res 2012;2(4):219-227

Review Article
Hematopoietic stem cells: interplay with immunity

Cheng Cheng Zhang

Departments of Physiology and Developmental Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323
Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA

Received October 21, 2012; Accepted November 9, 2012; Epub November 25, 2012; Published November 30, 2012

Abstract: Ample evidence indicated that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) receive signaling from infection or other immune
responses to adjust their differentiation and self-renewal. More recent reports also suggested that, while the bone marrow
microenvironment or niche may provide the immune privilege for HSCs, HSCs can present surface immune inhibitors per se
to suppress innate immunity and adaptive immunity to evade potential immune surveillance and attack. These findings
support the hypothesis that HSCs are capable of interacting with the immune system as signal “receivers” and signal
“providers”. On the one hand, HSCs are capable of directly sensing the signals from the immune system through their surface
receptors to modulate their self-renewal and differentiation (“in” signaling); on the other hand, HSCs display surface immune
inhibitory molecules to evade the attack from the innate and adaptive immune systems (“out” signaling). The continuing
investigation of the interplay between HSCs and immunity may lead to the open-up of a new research filed – the immunology
of stem cells. (AJBR1210004).

Keywords: Hematopoietic stem cells, immunity, immune privilege, CD47, CD274, LILRB2, PIR-B, immune inhibitory
receptors, infection, inflammation


Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Cheng Cheng
Zhang, Departments of Physiology and Developmental Biology
University of Texas Southwestern
Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas, Texas 75390, USA.
Phone: (214) 6456320; Fax: (214) 6481960
E-mail: Alec.Zhang@UTSouthwestern.edu
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