Hematopoietic stem cell response to inflammation.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have unique functional properties, including self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation potential, and are thought to be fully responsible for lifelong hematopoiesis. However, recent studies have shown that HSCs divide much more slowly than thought, and, therefore, that daily hematopoiesis is maintained not by HSCs but by hematopoietic progenitors with limited self-renewal. When hematopoietic stress such as an infection occurs, hematopoietic production is at high demand at the site of infection. To meet hematopoietic needs, HSCs are also presumably recruited to orchestrate hematopoiesis. The beneficial and detrimental effects of inflammation on HSC function and the associated hematopoietic regulation are discussed herein, by summarizing recent findings.