Spatial gradients of blood vessels and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells within the marrow cavities of the human skeleton

Blood. 2009 Nov 5;114(19):4077-80. doi: 10.1182/blood-2008-12-192922. Epub 2009 Sep 11.

Abstract

This report evaluates the spatial profile of blood vessel fragments (BVFs) and CD34(+) and CD117(+) hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in human cancellous bone. Bone specimens were sectioned, immunostained (anti-CD34 and anti-CD117), and digitally imaged. Immunoreactive cells and vessels were then optically and morphometrically identified and labeled on the corresponding digital image. The distance of each BVF, or CD34(+) or CD117(+) HSPC to the nearest trabecular surface was measured and binned in 50-microm increments. The relative concentration of HSPCs and BVFs within cancellous marrow was observed to diminish with increasing distance in the marrow space. On average, 50% of the CD34(+) HSPC population, 60% of the CD117(+) HSPC population, and 72% of the BVFs were found within 100 microm of the bone surfaces. HSPCs were also found to exist in close proximity to BVFs, which supports the notion of a shared HSPC and vessel spatial niche.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / anatomy & histology*
  • Bone Marrow / blood supply*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Cell Count
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Ilium / blood supply
  • Ilium / cytology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / blood supply
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / cytology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / metabolism
  • Ribs / blood supply
  • Ribs / cytology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit