(IMAGE)

Kumamoto University

Caption

When acute anemia occurs, very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), which are involved in lipid transport, are broken down, releasing apolipoprotein E (ApoE). ApoE binds to its receptor (VLDLR) present on the cell membranes of certain hematopoietic stem cells (VLDLRhighHSC), which weakens the function of genes related to hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocytes (which give rise to platelets), thereby relatively promoting the production of red blood cells. Since hematopoietic stem cells with low levels of VLDLR (VLDLRlowHSC) are not affected, not all hematopoietic stem cells are utilized, allowing the stem cell population to be preserved even after responding to anemia.

Credit

Kenichi Miharada, Kumamoto University

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