Hematopoietic Cytokines Can Instruct Lineage Choice
Michael A. Rieger,
Philipp S. Hoppe,
Benjamin M. Smejkal,
Andrea C. Eitelhuber,
Timm Schroeder*
The constant regeneration of the blood system during hematopoiesis
requires tightly controlled lineage decisions of hematopoietic
progenitor cells (HPCs). Because of technical limitations, differentiation
of individual HPCs could not previously be analyzed continuously.
It was therefore disputed whether cell-extrinsic cytokines can
instruct HPC lineage choice or only allow survival of cells
that are already lineage-restricted. Here, we used bioimaging
approaches that allow the continuous long-term observation of
individual differentiating mouse HPCs. We demonstrate that the
physiological cytokines, macrophage colony-stimulating factor
and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, can instruct hematopoietic
lineage choice.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: timm.schroeder{at}helmholtz-muenchen.de
