CD44 as a hematopoietic stem cell marker [Elektronische Ressource] / von Rahul Singh

CD44 as a Hematopoietic stem cell marker Zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades eines DOKTORS DER NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN (Dr. rer. nat.) Fakultät für Chemie und Biowissenschaften Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) – Universitätsbereich vorgelegte DISSERTATION Von Rahul Singh aus Indien 2011 Dekan: Prof. Dr. Stefan Bräse Referent: Prof. Dr. Margot Zöller Korreferent: Prof. Dr. Andrew Cato Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 15.04.2011 i “Never give up on what you want to do. A person with real big dreams is more powerful than all the facts” To my loving parents and my family…. iiTable of Contents Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………........1 Zusammenfassung……………………………………………………………………...4 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………………….6 1. Stem cells and Hematopoietic stem cells…………………………………..6 1.1 Definition of stem cells………………………………………………………...6 1.2 Hematopoietic stem cells and Hematopoiesis………………………………8 1.2.1 Hematopoietic stem cells……………………………………………...….8 1.2.2 Hematopoiesis………………………………………………………..…..10 1.3 Characterization of HSC…………………………………………………..…13 1.4 The importance of the HSC niche………………………………………..…15 1.5 The clinical demand on HSC…………………………………………….….17 1.6 Sources of HSC……………………………………………………………....18 1.6.1 Bone marrow & Mobilized peripheral blood…………………………...18 1.6.2 Umbilical cord blood……………………………………………………..18 1.