The role of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL for the maintenance of human hematopoiesis

Oncological therapies, like chemo- or radiotherapies critically harm the hematopoietic system resulting in myelosuppression. Bone marrow toxicity is frequently dose-limiting and it must be ensured that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) survive the treatment in order to allow for hematopoietic regeneration. Therefore, there is a need to understand the pathways and mechanisms involved in the survival and regeneration of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) both under steady state conditions and during stress. Survival is regulated by the members of the BCL-2 family. It is our aim to identify the Bcl-2 proteins necessary for the survival of human CD34+ HSPCs.