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Enumeration of Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells in Peripheral Blood

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Stem Cell Mobilization

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 904))

Abstract

In addition to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) also other types of stem cells (e.g., ­mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs], endothelial progenitor cells [EPCs], and very small embryonic-like stem cells [VSELs]) circulate under steady-state conditions at detectable levels in peripheral blood (PB), with their numbers increasing in response to stress, inflammation, tissue organ injury (e.g., heart infarct, stroke, or colitis), or mobilizing agents (e.g., granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; G-CSF). This mobilization process may be envisioned as a danger-sensing response mechanism triggered by hypoxia or mechanical- or infection-induced tissue damage that recruits into peripheral blood various types of stem cells that play a role not only in immune surveillance but also in organ/tissue regeneration. Thus, stem cells circulating in PB could be envisioned as “cellular paramedics” that are involved in immune surveillance (HSPCs) or ­tissue/organ rejuvenation (MSCs, EPCs, VSELs). In this chapter we focus on detection and enumeration of VSELs circulating in human PB, which are circulating in steady-state conditions or after administration of G-CSF or as a consequence of various pathological events.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH R01 CA106281-01, NIH R01 DK074720, EU structural funds, Innovative Economy Operational Program POIG.01.01.01-00-109/09-01, and the Henry M. and Stella M. Hoenig Endowment to MZR.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Developmental Biology Program, James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Rui Liu & Mariusz Z. Ratajczak

Authors
  1. Rui Liu
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  2. Mariusz Z. Ratajczak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mariusz Z. Ratajczak .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Science Center at Houston, Inst. Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Pressler Street 1825, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Mikhail G. Kolonin

  2. Health Science Center, Houston, Inst. Molecular Medicine, University of Texas, Pressler Street 1825, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Paul J. Simmons

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Liu, R., Ratajczak, M.Z. (2012). Enumeration of Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells in Peripheral Blood. In: Kolonin, M., Simmons, P. (eds) Stem Cell Mobilization. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 904. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-943-3_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-943-3_17

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-942-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-943-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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