Seminar: Novel Approaches to resolve the blood stem cell niche
| Date/Time: | Tuesday, 18 Apr 2023 from 1:00 pm to 1:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Location: | 1414 Molecular Biology |
| Cost: | Free |
| Contact: | Danise Jones |
| Phone: | 515-294-2687 |
| Channel: | Research |
| Categories: | Lectures |
| Actions: | Download iCal/vCal | Email Reminder |
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) reside in a complex microenvironment made up of many different cell types. Understanding the signals and communication between HSPCs and their niche is critical for improving treatments for blood cancers and disease. We are applying new technologies in mouse and zebrafish model organisms to gain a unique perspective of the HSPC niche. In one project, we are using Imaging Mass Spectrometry (IMS) to analyze the spatial distribution of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolite in the mouse bone marrow. We have shown that GABA has a specific requirement in regulation of HSPCs and their differentiation towards the B cell lineage. GABA is spatially enriched in the endosteum of the bone marrow, a region that is considered the B cell niche. In another project, we are using Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM) to integrate different imaging modalities. We are using light sheet and confocal microscopy to image fluorescently labeled HSPCs in their niche in transgenic zebrafish embryos. We process the same embryos for serial section block-face EM, a technique that creates a 3D volume of EM data for an entire tissue. Using software to align the light and EM datasets, we can correlate the positions of single HSPCs, and identify all neighboring niche cells and their subcellular contacts with the HSPCs. This has identified dopamine beta-hydroxylase positive neural cells that were not known to interact with HSPCs in the niche. Together, these new technologies are providing unique spatial maps of HSPCs niches and are changing our view of HSPC regulation.