Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms regulating normal and aberrant blood cell development

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During vertebrate hematopoiesis, diverse specialized cell types such as B cells, T cells, granulocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, and megakaryocytes are formed, each with distinct functions. An intricately balanced signaling and transcription network regulates the proliferative potential of these developing blood cells, ensuring their formation at the right time and in the right numbers. Regulatory mechanisms are crucial for proper blood cell function and lifespan. In the adaptive immune system, long-lived memory cells prevent previously encountered pathogens from causing future issues. This exploration begins with primitive organisms, examining how they utilize epigenetic regulatory machinery to balance growth and differentiation. We will uncover how flies produce blood without blood vessels, why fish generate blood cells in the kidney, and the genetic circuitries involved in these developmental pathways. The journey continues by elucidating the regulatory principles driving the differentiation of mature blood cells from stem cells and their functional control in mammals. Additionally, we will explore the connections between hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial cells, concluding with insights into the molecular mechanisms that alter hematopoietic cell differentiation or lead to impaired cell function.