This article focuses on (1) the analysis of the structural-functional organization of bone marrow niches of the hematopoietic stem cells, (2) the role of the intercellular contact interactions and humoral regulation factors in these niches, in particular CXCL12, SCF and TGFĪ²,and (3)
KEYWORDS: bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cell niche, multipotent stromal cells, hematopoiesisMaksimov and finally established at the end of the past century, it is not only the number but also entire known diversity of cell elements of immune and blood systems originate from only one type of the progenitor elements -the HSCs (unitary theory) [2].Life force and productivity of the HSCs is proved, for example, by the fact that 99.9 % of all blood-generating cells, HSCs included, in the irradiated mice can perish, and the surviving stem cells rapidly renew blood formation, including proper population as well as all types of the committed progenitors [3]. Along same sequence, the fact of non-exhaustion of blood formation after repeated damaging exposures is explained by the presence and functioning of the HSCs [1].The specialized cells of adult and fetal periods of ontogenesis, residing in the bone marrow (BM) in the quiescent state and capable, together with blood-forming microenvironment, to realize underlying programs for self-maintenance and multipotency allowing them (with maintained amount of HSCs) to release necessary amount of cells into differentiation along various directions that ultimately leads to the formation of all forms of blood elements, including immune system cells. It should be noted that the self-maintenance is not identical to the immortality. Stem cells are characterized by sufficiently long life, commensurable with entire organism's life course. Several genetic regulatory programs have been established which are of great importance in the process of HSCs self-maintenance. It is also known that stem cells in various tissues are controlled by common genetic programs maintaining their nature [4,5].It is theorized that stem cells are the clonogenic units which under certain conditions can be increased in their number at the expense Immune system is the structural-functional and interrelated commonness of the hematopoietic and stromal cells. Different in their origin, structure and functions, the populations and subpopulations of lymphoid and myeloid cells make a complete wholeness in the definite tissues and organs where they closely cooperate with non-hematopoietic elements. Constant and strictly regulated intensity of hematopoiesis with production of various cell types is also conditioned and controlled by cooperation of the hematopoietic and stromal cells. Timely repopulation of the immune system with hematopoietic cells-precursors, lymphocytes, leucocytes and stromal cells, newly maturing in the bone marrow, is the main condition for effective immune system functioning. The number of cells formed per time unit is plentiful. According to the given data, nearly 10 11 neutrophils (about 100 g of mass) per...