Stem Cell Biology

  1. The Stem Cell Niche
    1. Concept of the Microenvironment
      1. Definition and Importance
        1. Influence on Stem Cell Behavior
          1. Niche Heterogeneity
            1. Dynamic Nature of Niches
            2. Components of the Niche
              1. Cellular Components (Support Cells)
                1. Types of Support Cells
                  1. Cell-Cell Interactions
                    1. Paracrine Signaling
                      1. Direct Contact Signaling
                      2. Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
                        1. ECM Molecules
                          1. Collagens
                            1. Laminins
                              1. Fibronectin
                                1. Proteoglycans
                                2. Role in Cell Adhesion and Signaling
                                  1. Matrix Stiffness and Mechanotransduction
                                  2. Soluble Factors
                                    1. Cytokines
                                      1. Growth Factors
                                        1. Hormones
                                          1. Metabolites
                                          2. Physical and Chemical Cues
                                            1. Oxygen Tension
                                              1. Hypoxic Niches
                                                1. HIF Signaling
                                                2. pH and Ionic Environment
                                                  1. Mechanical Forces
                                                    1. Shear Stress
                                                      1. Compression
                                                        1. Tension
                                                        2. Temperature
                                                      2. Examples of Specific Niches
                                                        1. The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche (Bone Marrow)
                                                          1. Osteoblastic Niche
                                                            1. Osteoblast Functions
                                                              1. Calcium Signaling
                                                              2. Vascular Niche
                                                                1. Endothelial Cell Interactions
                                                                  1. Perivascular Cells
                                                                  2. Sympathetic Nervous System Regulation
                                                                  3. The Intestinal Crypt Niche
                                                                    1. Paneth Cells
                                                                      1. Antimicrobial Functions
                                                                        1. Growth Factor Production
                                                                        2. Wnt Signaling in the Crypt
                                                                          1. Mesenchymal Support Cells
                                                                          2. The Neural Stem Cell Niche (Subventricular Zone)
                                                                            1. Ependymal Cells
                                                                              1. Vascular Interactions
                                                                                1. Astrocyte Functions
                                                                                2. Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche
                                                                                  1. Bulge Region
                                                                                    1. Dermal Papilla
                                                                                      1. Sebaceous Gland Interactions
                                                                                    2. Niche Dysfunction and Disease
                                                                                      1. Cancer and Niche Disruption
                                                                                        1. Inflammatory Effects

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                                                                                      3. Fundamental Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

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                                                                                      5. Stem Cells in Development and Disease