Vangl2 Promotes Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion.

Regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and differentiation is essential for their maintenance, and HSC polarity has been shown to play an important role in this regulation. Vangl2, a key component of the Wnt/polarity pathway, is expressed by fetal and adult HSCs, but its role in hematopoiesis and HSC function is unknown. Here we show the deletion of Vangl2 in mouse hematopoietic cells impairs HSC expansion and hematopoietic recovery post-transplant.

Experimental Competitive Bone Marrow Transplant Assays.

Hematopoietic stem cells have the ability to produce all blood cells. When hematological malignancies occur, transplant of compatible blood or bone marrow cells from a healthy donor to the patient is an efficient solution to restore normal hematopoiesis. Bone marrow transplant in a mouse model is often used to study HSC function and capacity to repopulate an irradiated recipient.