Iowa State University researchers have made significant strides in understanding the role of the microbial sensor Nod1 in the development of blood stem cells. Led by Dr. Raquel Espin Palazon, an Assistant Professor of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology at Iowa State University, the study builds on previous work that revealed the crucial role played by inflammatory signals in the earliest stages of life, specifically as blood and vascular systems form in embryos. By activating the microbial sensor Nod1, embryos can prompt vascular endothelial cells to become blood stem cells. This discovery could revolutionize blood disorder treatments by allowing the production of blood stem cells in a laboratory from a patient’s own blood, eliminating the need for bone marrow transplants and the complications that come with them.
Blood stem cells, also known as hematopoietic stem cells, are responsible for creating all components of blood. While pluripotent stem cells in embryos can differentiate into any type of cell required by the body, adult stem cells are limited to producing specific types. By studying the levels of Nod1 in zebrafish and analyzing databases of human embryos, the research team determined that Nod1 is essential for setting up endothelial cells to transition into blood stem cells. Further collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia confirmed the involvement of Nod1 in human blood development. This discovery opens up possibilities for regenerative medicine, as it could lead to the production of functional blood stem cells from human samples, providing a safer alternative to bone marrow transplants for individuals with blood disorders. The researchers continue to investigate the interactions and timeline involved in blood stem cell formation to further advance the field of regenerative medicine.
