Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Control of Hematopoiesis

This chapter provides an overview of the origin and history of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the evolvement of their concept and hematopoiesis. It also illustrates the fate of hematopoietic cells arising from the mesoderm, and that later develops into the adult blood lineages by highlighting the major differences between primitive and definitive hematopoiesis. The chapter also includes a brief description of major findings of HSCs’ derivation, regulation, characterization, and differentiation. This chapter concludes with the current and future therapeutic potential of HSCs, and the barriers to their use for the development of new and improved therapies.