# Deciphering the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell self-renewal and differentiation

> **NIH NIH F31** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $50,520

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are characterized by their self-renewal and multipotent
differentiation capacities. As such, they give rise to all mature blood cell types (e.g., myeloid, lymphoid, and
erythroid) to maintain life-long hematopoiesis. Their regenerative capacity makes HSPCs valuable for cell
replacement therapies in patients with hematological diseases, including those that are secondary to
chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Understanding HSPC properties of self-renewal and multipotency allows for
the development of methods to improve and maximize their therapeutic potential. By studying the embryonic
origins of HSPC self-renewal and differentiation capacities, we aim to advance what is known about these
defining characteristics of stem cells. In addition to HSPCs, other multi-lineage progenitors are produced
during embryogenesis. These are limited in their self-renewal and differentiation output and are mostly
regarded as transient in nature. These progenitor populations share many features of stem cells, confounding
studies of HSPC properties within their native embryonic environments. Several studies in murine and
zebrafish models suggest that these embryonic progenitors, and not HSPCs, are the dominant population
generating mature blood cells in the embryo. If HSPCs are not necessary to sustain the embryo, what is their
function during development? To answer this question, we propose to use zebrafish to determine when and
where during development HSPCs self-renew and contribute to mature blood cell output in myeloid, lymphoid,
and erythroid lineages. We will use novel regeneration and transplantation assays (Aim 1) to study self-
renewal and lineage-tracing experiments (Aim 2) to investigate HSPC differentiation. Understanding how these
properties are established and maintained is critical to harnessing stem cells for regenerative medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9991082
- **Project number:** 1F31HL152562-01
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Bianca A Ulloa
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $50,520
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9991082

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9991082, Deciphering the development of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell self-renewal and differentiation (1F31HL152562-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9991082. Licensed CC0.

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