The identity crisis of Hif-1 alpha in HSC biology

摘要

In this issue of Blood, Vukovic et al provide compelling data that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) do not require the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif-1 alpha) to duplicate themselves (ie, self-renew), reconstitute long-term hematopoiesis, or sustain hematopoiesis following injury. 1 These observations affect hematology because they challenge previous notions regarding the role of Hif-1 alpha in HSC biology.(2)