Immunobiology of stem cell niches

Immunobiology of stem cell niches

Our group studies basic aspects of immunity and inflammation, including how immune and inflammatory cells are produced. We are particularly interested in the cells that produce all immune cells in the bone marrow. These hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are a paradigm of other adult stem cells in the body, and much effort is now put in understanding how the "niches" in which they live are regulated. In this project we seek to establish a role for neutrophils in the regulation of the HSC niche. One reason for our interest is because neutrophils far outnumber other cell types in the marrow, including those currently accepted as true niche cells. We have identified different types of neutrophils inside the bone marrow that display very different transcriptional profiles. We also know that elimination of neutrophils from the marrow results in an abnormal increase in the number of HSC, which suggests that neutrophils may be genuine regulators of stem cells. Our lab employs live imaging, immunofluorescence and image analyses, mouse genetics and functional assays in mice to respond these questions.

The TFM will help dissect at what levels, molecular and anatomical, HSC niches are regulated by these inflammatory leukocytes.