Satellite cells, the myogenic progenitor cells of postnatal muscle, occupied 1%-6% total nucleated cells of skeletal muscle and lied under the basal lamina of muscle fibers in a quiescent state until they become activated, proliferate, and form new skeletal muscle, which present with growth in response to damage[8]. Recently, studies demonstrated that, adult stem cells have trans-differentiation potential. Gussoni et al[3,9] found that muscle-derived stem cells can differentiate into haematoblasts. The self-renewal and differentiation of SMSCs mainly depend on external signals, and determined by intracellular or external signals. In the experiment, it found that SMSCs can accelerate proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells.
Bone marrow hemopoietic microenvironment comprises stroma cells and non-cellular components. The bone marrow stroma consists of a variety of cell types, including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, macrophages, etc. Stroma cells can regulate the proliferation, differentiation and development of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells via secreting various cytokines, such as stem cell factor, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF, acid or basic fibroblast growth factor, interleukin, insulin-like growth factors, transforming growth factor β and other active substances.
Angelica sinensis is a common traditional Chinese medicine famous for functions in nourishing blood and activating blood circulation. APS is a main effective constituent of angelica sinensis, which be confirmed has promotion on proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic progenitor cells[1-2]; simultaneously, APS can promote proliferation and differentiation of human progenitor cells (CFU-Mix, CFU-GM, and CFU-MK ) in vitro[2]. APS may increases hematopoiesis by accelerating stroma cells or endothelial cells express or secrete hemopoietic growth factor, such as GM-CSF, interleukin 3[10]. Here, marrow stroma cell conditioned medium facilitates SMSCs proliferation, maybe it associates with promotion effects of cell growth factor secreted by stroma cells, but the role needs to be confirmed by further experiment.
Bone marrow transplantation is a common method for the treatment of refractory hematological diseases. However, sources of bone marrow are restrained by many factors. Muscle-derived stem cells have widely prospect due to its hematopoietic cell plasticity. In future, stem cells can be obtained from patients, proliferated in vitro for directional differentiation, and reinfused into patients’ bodies. This procedure can prevent immunologic rejection and avoid ethical conflict. Thus, muscle can be an alternative for hematopoietic stem cells.
