Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), also called blood stem cells, are a type of stem cell found in the bone marrow. They are responsible for producing all the blood cells in the body, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells are unique because they can divide to produce new cells but also retain the ability to self-renew and differentiate into the various types of blood cells. This dual capability makes HSCs an important source for cellular therapies, including gene therapies. They can be used to treat a wide range of diseases by introducing genetic material into the patient's cells to correct or compensate for genetic defects.
This entry was provided by the doctoral students of the GetRADI collaborative network. GetRADI is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.