Effects of protein malnutrition on hematopoietic regulatory activity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Protein malnutrition causes anemia and leukopenia as it reduces hematopoietic precursors and impairs the production of mediators that regulate hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis occurs in distinct bone marrow niches that modulate the processes of differentiation, proliferation and self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) contribute to the biochemical composition of bone marrow niches by the secretion of several growth factors and cytokines, and they play an important role in the regulation of HSCs and hematopoietic progenitors.

Protein malnutrition impairs bone marrow endothelial cells affecting hematopoiesis.

Background & Aims: Protein malnutrition (PM) affects hematopoiesis leading to bone marrow (BM) hypoplasia and arrests hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in G/G cell cycle phases, which cause anemia and leukopenia. Hematopoiesis is mainly regulated by BM niches where endothelial cells (EC) present a key regulatory role. Thus, our objective is to evaluate whether PM affects the modulatory capacity of EC on hematopoiesis.