Chemical screening for expansion of HSPC’s

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are crucial for the maintenance of homeostasis of all blood lineages in human. Moreover, HSPCs are of Major relevance for the establishment of successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) strategies. In particular, finding compounds that enhance the number and/or activity of HSPCs, thereby improving the prognosis of patients undergoing HSCT, is of great clinical interest. Since mammalian models are not feasible in large-scale screens, alternative vertebrate platforms such as zebrafish, which show high genetic conservation of genes involved in hematopoiesis, are sought after. Therefore, we established a rapid screening method of whole zebrafish larva using imaging technologies to identify modulators of hematopoietic stem cell activity. In summary, an in vivo zebra fish imaging screen can be useful to identify potential drug candidates with clinical relevance.

 

Participating group members:

Martin Bornhaeuser, Manja Wobus, Guruschandar Arulmozhivarman, Martin Kraeter, Katrin Mueller