A Stem Cell Molecular Signature

TLDR

Mechanisms regulating self‑renewal and cell fate decisions in mammalian stem cells are poorly understood. We profiled global gene expression in mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells and intermediate stages of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Murine and human hematopoietic stem cells share many expressed genes that define conserved regulatory pathways, and in mice a subset of this program overlaps with embryonic and neural stem cells, yielding a molecular signature common to stem cells.

Abstract

Mechanisms regulating self-renewal and cell fate decisions in mammalian stem cells are poorly understood. We determined global gene expression profiles for mouse and human hematopoietic stem cells and other stages of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Murine and human hematopoietic stem cells share a number of expressed gene products, which define key conserved regulatory pathways in this developmental system. Moreover, in the mouse, a portion of the genetic program of hematopoietic stem cells is shared with embryonic and neural stem cells. This overlapping set of gene products represents a molecular signature of stem cells.