The Role of Nutrients in Maintaining Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Healthy Hematopoiesis for Life

Nutrients are converted by the body to smaller molecules, which are utilized for both anabolic and catabolic metabolic reactions. Cooperative regulation of these processes is critical for life-sustaining activities. In this review, we focus on how the regulation of nutrient-driven metabolism maintains healthy hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). For this purpose, we have examined the metabolic regulation of HSCs from two perspectives: (1) the control of intracellular metabolism by the balance of anabolic and catabolic reactions; and (2) the control of organismal metabolic status and hematopoiesis by dietary intake of nutrients. Critical roles of catabolic regulators in stem cell homeostasis are conserved in several types of tissues, including hematopoiesis. These catabolic signals are also major regulators of organismal lifespan in multiple species. In parallel, changes to nutrients via alterations to dietary intake affect not only an organism's metabolic state but also the behavior of its stem cells. While the molecular mechanisms involved in these two aspects of nutrient function may not necessarily overlap, a deeper understanding of these phenomena will point to new avenues of medical research and may furnish new agents for improving human health care.

Automated summary

This review examines the regulation of nutrient-driven metabolism in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from two perspectives - intracellular metabolism and dietary intake of nutrients. It highlights the importance of catabolic regulators in maintaining stem cell homeostasis and the impact of dietary changes on stem cell behavior. Understanding these processes may lead to new avenues of medical research and improvements in human health care.