Role of osteoclasts in regulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Bone marrow(BM) cavities are utilized for hematopoiesis and to maintain hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs). HSCs have the ability to self-renew as well as to differentiate into multiple different hematopoietic lineage cells. HSCs produce their daughter cells throughout the lifespan of individuals and thus, maintaining HSCs is crucial for individual life. BM cavities provide a specialized microenvironment termed "niche" to support HSCs. Niches are composed of various types of cells such as osteoblasts, endothelial cells and reticular cells. Osteoclasts are unique cells which resorb bones and are required for BM cavity formation. Loss of osteoclast function or differentiation results in inhibition of BM cavity formation, an osteopetrotic phenotype. Osteoclasts are also reportedly required for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell(HSPC) mobilization to the periphery from BM cavities. Thus, lack of osteoclasts likely results in inhibition of HSC maintenance and HSPC mobilization. However, we found that osteoclasts are dispensable for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and mobilization by using three independent osteoclast-less animal models. In this review, I will discuss the roles of osteoclasts in hematopoietic stem cell maintenance and mobilization.

Involvement of VLA-5 and VLA-6 in facilitating endothelium-oriented transmigration of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

目的 :研究 VLA- 5及 VLA- 6是否参与内皮细胞促进的造血干 /祖细胞定向移行。方法 :对纯化人 CD34+ 细胞进行体外移行及阻断实验 ,观察其穿移覆盖人脐静脉内皮细胞 ( HUVECs)滤膜的能力。应用四色荧光活化流式细胞术 ( FACS)检测 CD34+细胞其粘附分子及趋化因子受体CXCR- 4的表达谱。结果 :基质由来因子 ( SDF) - 1 α介导的动员外周血 ( m PB)及骨髓 ( BM)来源的CD34+ 细胞穿透覆盖 HUVECs滤膜百分率分别为 ( 5 6.6± 2 0 .1 ) %及 ( 1 5 .6± 1 .8) % ,显著高于其穿移未覆盖 HUVECs滤膜的比率。预先对 CD34+ 细胞进行抗 VLA- 5和 /或 VLA- 6中和抗体处理可消除这一促进效应。此外 ,BM来源的 CD34+细胞其穿移覆盖及未覆盖 HUVECs滤膜的能力均显著低于 m PB CD34+细胞 ,两者间穿移能力的差异与其 VLA- 5及 VLA- 6(而非 VLA- 4及趋化因子受体 CXCR- 4)抗原表达水平相关。结论 :VLA- 5和 VLA- 6参与 HUVECs促进 HS/PCs穿移能力。

Impact of T cells on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function:Good guys or bad guys?

When hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPC)are harvested for transplantation, either from the bone marrow or from mobilized blood, the graft contains a significant number of T cells. It is these T cells that are the major drivers of graft-vs-host disease(Gv HD). The risk for Gv HD can simply be reduced by the removal of these T cells from the graft. However, this is not always desirable, as this procedure also decreases the engraftment of the transplanted HSPCs and, if applicable, a graft-vs-tumor effect. This poses an important conundrum in the field: T cells act as a double-edged sword upon allogeneic HSPC transplantation, as they support engraftment of HSPCs and provide anti-tumor activity, but can also cause Gv HD. It has recently been suggested that T cells also enhance the engraftment of autologous HSPCs, thus supporting the notion that T cells and HSPCs have an important functional interaction that is highly beneficial, in particular during transplantation. The underlying reason on why and how T cells contribute to HSPC engraftment is still poorly understood. Therefore, we evaluate in this review the studies that have examined the role of T cells during HSPC transplantation and the possible mechanisms involved in their supporting function. Understanding the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms can provide new insight into improving HSPC engraftment and thus lower the number of HSPCs required during transplantation. Moreover, it could provide new avenues to limit the development of severe Gv HD, thus making HSPC transplantations more efficient and ultimately safer.

Hematopoietic stem cells in research and clinical applications:The“CD34 issue”

In this paper,experimental findings concerning the kinetics of hematopoietic reconstitution are compared to corresponding clinical data.Although not clearly apparent,the transplantation practice seems to confirm the basic proposals of experimental hematology concerning hematopoietic reconstitution resulting from successive waves of repopulation stemming from different subpopulations of progenitor and stem cells.One of the "f irst rate" parameters in clinical transplantations in hematology;i.e.the CD34+ positive cell dose,has been discussed with respect to the functional heterogeneity and variability of cell populations endowed by expression of CD34.This parameter is useful only if the relative proportion of stem and progenitor cells in the CD34+ cell population is more or less maintained in a series of patients or donors.This proportion could vary with respect to the source,pathology,treatment,processing procedure,the graft ex vivo treatment and so on.Therefore,a universal dose of CD34+ cells cannot be def ined.In addition,to avoid further confusion,the CD34+ cells should not be named "stem cells" or "progenitor cells" since these denominations only concern functionally characterized cell entities.

Establishment of a humanized mouse model using steady-state peripheral blood-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells facilitates screening of cancer-targeted T-cell repertoires

Background:Cancer-targeted T-cell receptor T(TCR-T)cells hold promise in treating cancers such as hematological malignancies and breast cancers.However,approaches to obtain cancer-reactive TCR-T cells have been unsuccessful.Methods:Here,we developed a novel strategy to screen for cancer-targeted TCR-T cells using a special humanized mouse model with person-specific immune fingerprints.Rare steady-state circulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were expanded via three-dimensional culture of steady-state peripheral blood mononuclear cells,and then the expanded cells were applied to establish humanized mice.The human immune system was evaluated according to the kinetics of dendritic cells,monocytes,T-cell subsets,and cytokines.To fully stimulate the immune response and to obtain B-cell precursor NAML-6-and triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231-targeted TCR-T cells,we used the inactivated cells above to treat humanized mice twice a day every 7 days.Then,human T cells were processed for TCRβ-chain(TRB)sequencing analysis.After the repertoires had been constructed,features such as the fraction,diversity,and immune signature were investigated.Results:The results demonstrated an increase in diversity and clonality of T cells after treatment.The preferential usage and features of TRBV,TRBJ,and the V–J combination were also changed.The stress also induced highly clonal Science and Technology,Grant/Award Number:2021C03010;Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China,Grant/Award Numbers:LTGY24H080003,LY21H080004 expansion.Tumor burden and survival analysis demonstrated that stress induction could significantly inhibit the growth of subsequently transfused live tumor cells and prolong the survival of the humanized mice.Conclusions:We constructed a personalized humanized mouse model to screen cancer-targeted TCR-T pools.Our platform provides an effective source of cancer-targeted TCR-T cells and allows for the design of patient-specific engineered T cells.It therefore has the potential to greatly benefit cancer treatment.

Regulatory role of sphingosine kinase and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor signaling in progenitor/stem cells

Balanced sphingolipid signaling is important for the maintenance of homeostasis. Sphingolipids were demonstrated to function as structural components, second messengers, and regulators of cell growth and survival in normal and disease-affected tissues. Particularly, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and its product sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) operate as mediators and facilitators of proliferation-linked signaling. Unlimited proliferation (selfrenewal) within the regulated environment is a hallmark of progenitor/stem cells that was recently associated with the S1P signaling network in vasculature, nervous,muscular, and immune systems. S1P was shown to regulate progenitor-related characteristics in normal and cancerstemcells(CSCs) viaG-protein coupled receptorsS1Pn(n=1 to 5). The SphK/S1P axis is crucially involved in the regulation of embryonic development of vasculature and the nervous system, hematopoietic stem cell migration, regeneration of skeletal muscle, and development of multiple sclerosis. The ratio of the S1P receptor expression, localization, and specific S1P receptoractivated downstream effectors influenced the rate of selfrenewal and should be further explored as regeneration related targets. Considering malignant transformation,it is essential to control the level of self-renewal capacity.Proliferation of the progenitor cell should be synchronized with differentiation to provide healthy lifelong function of blood, immune systems, and replacement of damaged ordead cells. The differentiation-related role of SphK/S1P remains poorly assessed. A few pioneering investigations exploredpharmacologicaltoolsthattargetsphingolipid signaling and can potentially confine and direct self-renewal towards normal differentiation. Further investigation is required to test the role of the SphK/S1P axis in regulation of self-renewal and differentiation.

To stay or to leave: Stem cells and progenitor cells navigating the S1P gradient

Most hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) reside in bone marrow (BM), but a small amount of HSPCs have been found to circulate between BM and tissues through blood and lymph. Several lines of evidence suggest that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) gradient triggers HSPC egression to blood circulation after mobilization from BM stem cell niches. Stem cells also visit certain tissues. After a temporary 36 h short stay in local tissues, HSPCs go to lymph in response to S1P gradient between lymph and tissue and eventually enter the blood circulation. S1P also has a role in the guidance of the primitive HSPCs homing to BM in vivo, as S1P analogue FTY720 treatment can improve HSPC BM homing and engraftment. In stress conditions, various stem cells or progenitor cells can be attracted to local injured tissues and participate in local tissue cell differentiation and tissue rebuilding through modulation the expression level of S1P1, S1P2 or S1P3 receptors. Hence, S1P is important for stem cells circulation in blood system to accomplish its role in body surveillance and injury recovery.

Exendin-4 attenuates atherosclerosis progression via controlling hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell proliferation

Beyond glycemic control, applications of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1r) agonists (GLP-1 RAs) inhibit inflammationand plaque development in murine atherosclerotic models. However, whether they modulate hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)to prohibit skewed myelopoiesis in hypercholesteremia remains unknown. In this study, GLP-1r expression in fluorescenceactivated cell sorting (FACS)-sorted wild-type HSPCs was determined by capillary western blotting. Bone marrow cells (BMCs)of wild-type or GLP-1r−/− mice were transplanted into lethally irradiated low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLr−/−)recipients followed by high-fat diet (HFD) for chimerism analysis by FACS. In parallel, LDLr−/− mice were placed on HFD for 6weeks and then treated with saline or Exendin-4 (Ex-4) for another 6 weeks. HSPC frequency and cell cycle were analyzed byFACS, and intracellular metabolite levels were assessed by targeted metabolomics. The results demonstrated that HSPCs expressedGLP-1r and transplantation of GLP-1r−/− BMCs resulted in skewed myelopoiesis in hypercholesterolemic LDLr−/− recipients.In vitro, Ex-4 treatment of FACS-purified HSPCs suppressed cell expansion and granulocyte production induced by LDL. In vivo, Ex-4treatment inhibited plaque progression, suppressed HSPC proliferation, and modified glycolytic and lipid metabolism in HSPCs ofhypercholesteremic LDLr−/− mice. In conclusion, Ex-4 could directly inhibit HSPC proliferation induced by hypercholesteremia.

Stem cell therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: A promising therapeutic strategy?

Inflammatory bowel diseases are inflammatory, chronic and progressive diseases of the intestinal tract for which no curative treatment is available. Research in other fields with stem cells of different sources and with immunoregulatory cells(regulatory T-lymphocytes and dendritic T-cells) opens up new expectations for their use in these diseases. The goal for stem cell-based therapy is to provide a permanent cure. To achieve this, it will be necessary to obtain a cellular product, original or genetically modified, that has a high migration capacity and homes into the intestine, has high survival after transplantation, regulates the immune reaction while not being visible to the patient's immune system, and repairs the injured tissue.

The combination of epidermal growth factor and glycogen synthase kinase 3 inhibitor support long-term self-renewal of Sca-1 positive hepatic progenitor cells from normal adult mice

Isolation and long-term maintenance of hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) from healthy, non-injured adult livers remains challenging due to the lack of specific surface markers for selection and a limited understanding of the mechanisms for maintaining self-renewal. Previously, we identified a Sca-1 positive, bipotent HPC population in the peri-portal region of adult liver, and found MAPK/ERK and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways to be synergistically involved in their proliferation. In this study, we report the long-term culture of Sca-1 positive HPCs with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and CHIR99021, a small molecule inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3). Sca-1+ HPCs remain non-tumorigenic when passaged 35 times in vitro over 1 year. Flow cytometric analysis indicates that HPCs are positive for Sca-1 and putative liver progenitor cell markers, including CD13, CD24 and Prominin-1, but negative for hematopoietic/endothelial cell markers CD31, CD34, CD45, CD90 and CD117. Immunocyto-chemistry and RT-PCR indicate Sca-1+ HPCs express albumin (ALB), α-fetoprotein (AFP), cytokeratin19 (CK19), Sox9 and a panel of special hepatic progenitor transcriptional factors. Moreover, Sca-1+ HPCs are able to differentiate into hepatocyte-like and cholangiocyte-like cells under appropriate culture conditions in vitro and can take part in liver repopulation in an acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver injury mouse model. This study provides a paradigm to capture and maintain HPCs from naive liver tissue and offers a valuable cell model for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the cell lineage relationship in normal liver.

CAPE promotes the expansion of human umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in vitro

Due to the low number of collectable stem cells from single umbilical cord blood(UCB)unit,their initial uses were limited to pediatric therapies.Clinical applications of UCB hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPCs)would become feasible if there were a culture method that can effectively expand HSPCs while maintaining their self-renewal capacity.In recent years,numerous attempts have been made to expand human UCB HSPCs in vitro.In this study,we report that caffeic acid phenethyl ester(CAPE),a small molecule from honeybee extract,can promote in vitro expansion of HSPCs.Treatment with CAPE increased the percentage of HSPCs in cultured mononuclear cells.Importantly,culture of CD34+HSPCs with CAPE resulted in a significant increase in total colony-forming units and high proliferative potential colony-forming units.Burst-forming unit-erythroid was the mostly affected colony type,which increased more than 3.7-fold in 1μg mL 1CAPE treatment group when compared to the controls.CAPE appears to induce HSPC expansion by upregulating the expression of SCF and HIF1-α.Our data suggest that CAPE may become a potent medium supplement for in vitro HSPC expansion.

Efficient expansion of rare human circulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in steady-state blood using a polypeptide-forming 3D culture

Although widely applied in treating hematopoietic malignancies,transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)is impeded by HSPC shortage.Whether circulating HSPCs(cHSPCs)in steady-state blood could be used as an alternative source remains largely elusive.Here we develop a three-dimensional culture system(3DCS)including arginine,glycine,aspartate,and a series of factors.Fourteen-day culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMNCs)in 3DCS led to 125-and 70-fold increase of the frequency and number of CD34+cells.Further,3DCS-expanded cHSPCs exhibited the similar reconstitution rate com-pared to CD34+HSPCs in bone marrow.Mechanistically,3DCS fabricated an immunomodulatory niche,secreting cytokines as TNF to support cHSPC survival and proliferation.Finally,3DCS could also promote the expansion of cHSPCs in patients who failed in HSPC mobilization.Our 3DCS successfully expands rare cHSPCs,providing an alternative source for the HSPC therapy,particularly for the patients/donors who have failed in HSPC mobilization.

RNA methylation regulates hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell development

Methylation of adenosine base on the nitrogen-6 position （N6-methyladenosine, m^6A） is the most common and abundant modification on mRNA transcripts. This post-transcriptional modification was first described in the 1970s in hepatoma cells （Desrosiers et al., 1974）.

Isoform-specific involvement of Brpf1 in expansion of adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Bromodomain-containing proteins are known readers of histone acetylation that regulate chromatin structure and transcription.Although the functions of bromodomain-containing proteins in development,homeostasis,and disease states have been well studied,their role in self-renewal of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells(HSPCs)remains poorly understood.Here,we performed a chemical screen using nine bromodomain inhibitors and found that the bromodomain and PHD finger-containing protein 1(Brpf1)inhibitor OF-1 enhanced the expansion of Lin−Sca-1+c-Kit+HSPCs ex vivo without skewing their lineage differentiation potential.Importantly,our results also revealed distinct functions of Brpf1 isoforms in HSPCs.Brpf1b promoted the expansion of HSPCs.By contrast,Brpf1a is the most abundant isoform in adult HSPCs but enhanced HSPC quiescence and decreased the HSPC expansion.Furthermore,inhibition of Brpf1a by OF-1 promoted histone acetylation and chromatin accessibility leading to increased expression of self-renewal-related genes(e.g.Mn1).The phenotypes produced by OF-1 treatment can be rescued by suppression of Mn1 in HSPCs.Our findings demonstrate that this novel bromodomain inhibitor OF-1 can promote the clinical application of HSPCs in transplantation.

嵌合抗原受体介导的抗肿瘤细胞治疗的发展

嵌合抗原受体(CAR)技术驱动的T细胞疗法在肿瘤治疗中展示了巨大的创新潜力,尤其在血液肿瘤方面取得了显著成果。通过精准改造患者或供体细胞,使其能够特异性识别并清除肿瘤细胞,此策略已进入临床实践的新阶段。尽管如此,CAR-T细胞疗法在实体瘤中的治疗效果尚未达到预期,并且其潜在的不良反应引起了广泛关注。随着科技的不断进步,基于CAR技术改造的多种细胞类型,如NK细胞、巨噬细胞、NKT细胞及γδT细胞等,正在被纳入肿瘤治疗研究,拓展了治疗前景。本综述深入探讨了CAR技术的最新进展及其在细胞疗法中的应用,为抗肿瘤治疗提供潜在的新思路和可能性。

Lymphoid-biased hematopoietic stem cells and myeloid-biased hematopoietic progenitor cells have radioprotection activity

Radioprotection was previously considered as a function of hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs).However,recent studies have reported its activity in hematopoietic progenitor cells(HPCs).To address this issue,we compared the radioprotection activity in 2 subsets of HSCs(nHSC1 and 2 populations)and 4 subsets of HPCs(nHPC1–4 populations)of the mouse bone marrow,in relation to their in vitro and in vivo colony-forming activity.Significant radioprotection activity was detected in the nHSC2 population enriched in lymphoid-biased HSCs.Moderate radioprotection activity was detected in nHPC1 and 2 populations enriched in myeloid-biased HPCs.Low radioprotection activity was detected in the nHSC1 enriched in myeloid-biased HSCs.No radioprotection activity was detected in the nHPC3 and 4 populations that included MPP4(LMPP).Single-cell colony assay combined with flow cytometry analysis showed that the nHSC1,nHSC2,nHPC1,and nHPC2 populations had the neutrophils/macrophages/erythroblasts/megakaryocytes(nmEMk)differentiation potential whereas the nHPC3 and 4 populations had only the nm differentiation potential.Varying day 12 spleen colony-forming units(day 12 CFU-S)were detected in the nHSC1,nHSC2,and nHPC1–3 populations,but very few in the nHPC4 population.These data suggested that nmEMk differentiation potential and day 12 CFU-S activity are partially associated with radioprotection activity.Reconstitution analysis showed that sufficient myeloid reconstitution around 12 to 14 days after transplantation was critical for radioprotection.This study implied that radioprotection is specific to neither HSC nor HPC populations,and that lymphoid-biased HSCs and myeloid-biased HPCs as populations play a major role in radioprotection.

黑枸杞花青素联合人脂肪源性血管外膜细胞支持脐血造血干/祖细胞的增殖

背景:黑枸杞花青素(Anthocyanins in Lycium ruthenicum Murr,ALRM)是黑枸杞中重要的活性成分之一,具有抗氧化、免疫调节等功效。人脂肪源性血管外膜细胞(CD146^(+)hAD-PCs)是骨髓间充质干细胞的前体细胞,在体外具有促进造血干/祖细胞增殖与分化的功能。ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血造血干/组细胞的体外支持作用有待于研究。目的:探讨ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞体外扩增的支持作用。方法:CCK-8法检测不同质量浓度ALRM(0,200,400,600,800,1000 mg/L)对CD146^(+)hAD-PCs增殖的影响;流式细胞术检测ALRM对CD146^(+)hAD-PCs细胞周期的影响。共培养实验分为空白组、ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组、ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组,分析ALRM联合CD146^(+)hAD-PCs对脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞的体外支持作用。共培养1,2,4周,比较扩增后细胞数量、集落形成单位数量,流式细胞仪检测细胞免疫表型,ELISA检测细胞因子水平。结果与结论:(1)ALRM质量浓度为200 mg/L时,CD146^(+)hAD-PCs活力最高,CD146^(+)hAD-PCs的G_(0)/G_(1)期细胞比例下降,S期、G_(2)/M期细胞比例上升(P<0.01)。(2)脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞数量变化:在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组高于ALRM组(P均<0.05),在共培养2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P均<0.05),ALRM组与空白组随着共培养时间延长细胞数量逐渐减少。(3)集落形成能力及免疫表型分析:在共培养1,2周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的集落形成单位数量高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组和ALRM组(P均<0.05);在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组CD45^(+)、CD34^(+)CD33^(-)细胞比例高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P均<0.01)。(4)细胞因子变化:在共培养4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的白细胞介素2水平高于ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05);在共培养2,4周时ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组白细胞介素3水平高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05);在共培养1周时ALRM+CD146^(+)h AD-PCs组的粒细胞集落刺激因子水平高于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组,在共培养2周时高于ALRM组、CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.01);在共培养1,2,4周时ALRM组、ALRM+CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组的干扰素γ水平低于CD146^(+)hAD-PCs组(P<0.05)。(5)由于空白组无基质细胞,脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞在共培养1周之后就无法计数,未进行免疫表型、集落分析和细胞因子检测。(6)结果表明:ALRM可以通过促进CD146^(+)hAD-PCs增殖和细胞周期转化进而促进脐血CD34^(+)造血干/祖细胞的体外扩增,在造血干细胞移植研究方面具有重要价值。

转基因饲养层细胞体外促进脐带血CD34^+ HSPC增殖

目的构建转hOSM基因细胞系作为饲养层细胞,观察其对脐带血CD34+HSPC的扩增作用。方法用分子生物学技术建立转hOSM基因细胞系作为饲养层细胞,免疫磁珠法分离脐带血CD34+HSPC,将其与饲养层细胞共培养7 d后,流式细胞术检测其增殖,将扩增后染色的CD34+细胞移植入SC ID小鼠体内,应用荧光显微镜和RT-PCR法观察移植效果。结果CD34+HSPC与饲养层细胞共培养后扩增了9.4倍,其表面归巢相关分子CXCR4和CD54阳性率仍较高,植入小鼠体内4周后,可成功归巢到小鼠骨髓。结论建立的转hOSM基因饲养层细胞可以有效地扩增CD34+HSPC,并维持其较高的移植效率和造血活性。

Apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To access the frequency and level of apoptotic CD34+ cells isolated from the marrow fluid of patients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis. METHODS: The frequency of bone marrow CD34+ cells and apoptotic bone marrow CD34+ cells in 31 inpatients with post-hepatitis cirrhosis (cirrhosis group), and 15 out-patients without liver or blood disorders (control group) was calculated by flow cytometry. Parameters were collected to evaluate liver functions of patients in cirrhosis group. RESULTS: The percentage of normal bone marrow CD34+ cells was 6.30% ± 2.48% and 1.87% ± 0.53% (t = 3.906, P < 0.01) while that of apoptotic marrowCD34+ cells was 15.00% ± 15.81% and 5.73% ± 1.57% (t = 2.367, P < 0.05) in cirrhosis and control groups, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was 6.25% ± 3.30% and 20.92 ± 18.5% (t = 2.409, P < 0.05) in Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B + C cirrhotic patients, respectively. The percentage of late apoptotic marrow CD34+ cells was positively correlated with the total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase serum levels in patients with cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: The status of CD34+ marrow cells in cirrhotic patients may suggest that the ability of hematopoietic progenitor cells to transform into mature blood cells is impaired.