Metabolic Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in the Hypoxic Niche

The document from 2011 reviews how hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are regulated metabolically within the hypoxic bone marrow niche, highlighting the significance of glycolysis for energy generation to protect HSCs from oxidative stress and maintain their function and self-renewal. It discusses the balance between quiescent and cycling states of HSCs, with quiescent ones being more resistant to stress and damage. The review also covers the role of hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) in HSC regulation, showing that a hypoxic environment is essential for maintaining HSC quiescence and function. Conditional knockout studies in mice indicate that the HIF-1α subunit is crucial for HSC maintenance, with both deficiency and excess leading to negative outcomes. The document suggests that understanding HIF-1α regulation could be key for stem cell biology and therapy.