Scientists uncover blood stem cell differentiation pathways

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how human blood stem cells develop into different specialized blood cells. Each adult produces about five million new blood cells every second to replace old or damaged ones. These blood cells are made in the bone marrow from unspecialized stem cells. The research team, led by Professor Michael Rieger from Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt, included experts from various universities. They used advanced sequencing methods to study more than 62,000 individual cells. This detailed analysis helped them uncover the molecular processes involved in stem cell differentiation. One important finding was a protein called PD-L2 on the surface of blood stem cells. This protein helps suppress the immune response by preventing T cells from becoming activated. This could be crucial for protecting stem cells from attack by the immune system, particularly in stem cell transplantations from unrelated donors. Professor Rieger highlighted the importance of teamwork among physicians, scientists, and data experts in making these discoveries. The research could lead to better understanding and new treatments for blood disorders.