摘要
Hox genes are an evolutionary highly conserved gene family. They determine the anterior-posterior body axis in bilateral organisms and influence the developmental fate of cells. Embryonic stem cells are usually devoidof any Hox gene expression, but these transcription factors are activated in varying spatial and temporal patterns defining the development of various body regions. In the adult body, Hox genes are among others responsible for driving the differentiation of tissue stem cells towards their respective lineages in order to repair and maintain the correct function of tissues and organs. Due to their involvement in the embryonic and adult body, they have been suggested to be useable for improving stem cell differentiations in vitro and in vivo. In many studies Hox genes have been found as driving factors in stem cell differentiation towards adipogenesis, in lineages involved in bone and joint formation, mainly chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, in cardiovascular lineages including endothelial and smooth muscle cell differentiations, and in neurogenesis. As life expectancy is rising, the demand for tissue reconstruction continues to increase. Stem cells have become an increasingly popular choice for creating therapies in regenerative medicine due to their self-renewal and differentiation potential. Especially mesenchymal stem cells are used more and more frequently due to their easy handling and accessibility, combined with a low tumorgenicity and little ethical concerns. This review therefore intends to summarize to date known correlations between natural Hox gene expression patterns in body tissues and during the differentiation of various stem cells towards their respective lineages with a major focus on mesenchymal stem cell differentiations. This overview shall help to understand the complex interactions of Hox genes and differentiation processes all over the body as well as in vitro for further improvement of stem cell treatments in future regenerative medicine approaches.
Hox genes are an evolutionary highly conserved genefamily. They determine the anterior-posterior body axisin bilateral organisms and influence the developmentalfate of cells. Embryonic stem cells are usually devoidof any Hox gene expression, but these transcriptionfactors are activated in varying spatial and temporalpatterns defining the development of various bodyregions. In the adult body, Hox genes are among othersresponsible for driving the differentiation of tissuestem cells towards their respective lineages in order torepair and maintain the correct function of tissues andorgans. Due to their involvement in the embryonic andadult body, they have been suggested to be useable forimproving stem cell differentiations in vitro and in vivo .In many studies Hox genes have been found as drivingfactors in stem cell differentiation towards adipogenesis,in lineages involved in bone and joint formation, mainlychondrogenesis and osteogenesis, in cardiovascularlineages including endothelial and smooth muscle celldifferentiations, and in neurogenesis. As life expectancyis rising, the demand for tissue reconstruction continuesto increase. Stem cells have become an increasinglypopular choice for creating therapies in regenerativemedicine due to their self-renewal and differentiationpotential. Especially mesenchymal stem cells are usedmore and more frequently due to their easy handlingand accessibility, combined with a low tumorgenicityand little ethical concerns. This review therefore intendsto summarize to date known correlations betweennatural Hox gene expression patterns in body tissuesand during the differentiation of various stem cellstowards their respective lineages with a major focus onmesenchymal stem cell differentiations. This overviewshall help to understand the complex interactions of Hoxgenes and differentiation processes all over the bodyas well as in vitro for further improvement of stem celltreatments in future regenerative medicine approaches.
基金
BMBF,Adi Pa D,1720X06,BMBF,FHprof Unt,FKZ:03FH012PB2
FH-Extra,"Europischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung","Europa-Investition in unsere Zukunft",FKZ:z1112fh012
EFRE co-financed NRW Ziel 2:"Regionale Wettbewerbsfhigkeit und Beschftigung",DAAD,PPP Vigoni,FKZ:314-vigoni-dr and FKZ:54669218 for Edda Tobiasch
