About this Research Topic
The aging process is associated with an increased susceptibility to life-threatening diseases of the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems, both of which are underpinned by loss of normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. During hematopoietic aging, somatic driver mutations in HSCs skew blood differentiation trajectories by impacting cellular fitness and lead to abnormal accumulations of different cell types ultimately resulting in hematological disorders. Indeed, hematopoietic clonal expansions, termed clonal hematopoiesis (CH), acquire recurrent drivers of myeloid malignancies and have been demonstrated to be a common aging-related feature, even in the absence of any overt hematologic abnormalities. Nonetheless, the understanding of how these CH driver alterations provide a fitness advantage in the aging bone marrow (BM) is poorly understood.
There is strong evidence to suggest that the aging hematopoietic system and BM microenvironment serve a major role in enhancing the relative fitness of CH clones. Recent studies have suggested that a niche-associated sensitivity in the emergence of different neoplasms may exist, and have revealed how myeloid neoplasms can hijack the HSC microenvironment to gain survival benefits. Bone marrow inflammation and functional alterations to the BM niche have emerged as key factors in driving aging of the hematopoietic system and the initiation and development of hematological disorders. In this special research topic, we aim to collect original manuscripts that describe the current state of CH and how the niche contributes to this process.
Given that this is a newer field in the study of clonal hematopoiesis, we will be focusing on Review manuscripts describing the role of both stromal and hematopoietic cell niches in regulating the onset and/or progression of clonal hematopoiesis in the context of aging and injury (e.g., myelosuppression and inflammation). In addition to Review articles, we would gladly accept original research manuscripts. Examples of topics of interest include:
-The role of the aging niche in promoting/supporting CH.
-How does immune- and niche-derived inflammation regulates CH.
-Mechanisms involved in regulating the cellular crosstalk between the niche and hematopoietic clones.
-Current strategies targeting the niche to protect against CH.
There is strong evidence to suggest that the aging hematopoietic system and BM microenvironment serve a major role in enhancing the relative fitness of CH clones. Recent studies have suggested that a niche-associated sensitivity in the emergence of different neoplasms may exist, and have revealed how myeloid neoplasms can hijack the HSC microenvironment to gain survival benefits. Bone marrow inflammation and functional alterations to the BM niche have emerged as key factors in driving aging of the hematopoietic system and the initiation and development of hematological disorders. In this special research topic, we aim to collect original manuscripts that describe the current state of CH and how the niche contributes to this process.
Given that this is a newer field in the study of clonal hematopoiesis, we will be focusing on Review manuscripts describing the role of both stromal and hematopoietic cell niches in regulating the onset and/or progression of clonal hematopoiesis in the context of aging and injury (e.g., myelosuppression and inflammation). In addition to Review articles, we would gladly accept original research manuscripts. Examples of topics of interest include:
-The role of the aging niche in promoting/supporting CH.
-How does immune- and niche-derived inflammation regulates CH.
-Mechanisms involved in regulating the cellular crosstalk between the niche and hematopoietic clones.
-Current strategies targeting the niche to protect against CH.
Keywords: Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Microenvironment, Niche, Aging, Clonal Hematopoiesis
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