Title:Instructions from the Vascular System - Directing Neural Stem Cell Fate in Health and Disease
Volume: 21
Issue: 19
Author(s): S. Schildge, C. Bohrer, S. Pfurr, K. Mammadzada, K. Schachtrup and C. Schachtrup
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Blood circulatory system, endothelial cell, fibrinogen, regeneration, stem cell niche, vasculature.
Abstract: The vascular system distributes oxygen and nutrients to all tissues in the body. Additionally, the vascular system
also functions in hosting and instructing tissue-specific stem and progenitor cells. Both cell- or blood-derived signals
from the vascular system regulate stem cell properties in health and disease. Studies in animal models and in human disease
have begun to uncover that signals from the vascular system are not merely maintaining the stem cell niche, but also
instruct stem cells for repair mechanisms outside their niche. The present article focuses on recent findings about cell- or
blood-derived factors in the vascular system supporting stem cell niche maintenance or activation for tissue homeostasis
and repair. We highlight the fact that certain aspects of vascular - stem cell communication are conserved between stem
cell niches in different tissues. Within this context, we will especially emphasize on a potential role of the altered vascular
system after CNS disease in instructing stem cell fate. Understanding the communication between the vascular system and
neural stem cells might support the development for new therapeutic approaches for CNS disease.
