Identification of quantitative trait loci regulating haematopoietic parameters in B6AKRF2 mice.

The haematopoietic system is a complex organised tissue with a hierarchical structure. Identification of organisational pathways within the haematopoietic system is relevant for a better understanding of haematopoiesis in health and disease. We have analysed numerous haematopoietic parameters in two panels of a total of 157 genetically distinct B6AKRF2 mice, derived from an intercross between AKR and C57Bl/6 mice, strains known to differ in various stem cell traits.

Impaired hematopoietic stem cell functioning after serial transplantation and during normal aging.

Adult somatic stem cells possess extensive self-renewal capacity, as their primary role is to replenish aged and functionally impaired tissues. We have previously shown that the stem cell pool in short-lived DBA/2 (D2) mice is reduced during aging, in contrast to long-lived C57BL/6 (B6) mice. This suggests the existence of a genetically determined mitotic clock operating in stem cells, which possibly limits organismal aging.

Chemotherapy prior to autologous bone marrow transplantation impairs long-term engraftment in mice.

Objective: Autologous bone marrow transplantation in cancer patients is often preceded by multiple cycles of chemotherapy. In this study, we assessed in a mouse model whether stem cells were affected by prior chemotherapy.

Methods: Donor mice were treated with three consecutive injections of 150 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Growth factor treatment prior to low-dose total body irradiation increases donor cell engraftment after bone marrow transplantation in mice.

Low-toxicity conditioning regimens prior to bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are widely explored. We developed a new protocol using hematopoietic growth factors prior to low-dose total body irradiation (TBI) in recipients of autologous transplants to establish high levels of long-term donor cell engraftment. We hypothesized that treatment of recipient mice with growth factors would selectively deplete stem cells, resulting in successful long-term donor cell engraftment after transplantation.

[Familial erythermalgia treated with pizotifen].

Introduction: Primary erythermalgia is a rare acrosyndrome due to paroxystic arteriolar dilatation of extremities that become red and congested with warmth and burning sensation or pain.

Observation: We report herein the observation of a primary erythermalgia affecting 3 degrees in the same family (grandfather, uncle/mother, and children with early onset at 6 years): pizotifene, an antiserotoninergic drug proved to be effective in mother and 14-year-old child who had never drawn benefit from any previous treatment.

Discussion: Several etiologies may be responsible for erythermalgia according to the clinical type: primary erythermalgia with pediatric onset, and secondary erythermalgia as a reaction to myeloproliferation, other diseases, drug or heavy metal poisoning.