Molecular Biology of Hemopoiesis

Perhaps no scientific field in recent years has gained in techniques and applications as much as molecular biology, and it is certainly no ex aggeration to·say that among all the applications of molecular biology, hematology in general, and hemopoiesis in particular, have benefited most. Owing to the applications of molecular biology, we now live in a golden era of hemopoiesis. Our understanding of the intricate regulatory system in hemopoiesis has vastly expanded. The potential for future exploration is ever expanding, and finally, the possibility of gene manipulation, has provided the promise of fundamental treatment and "cure" of many genetic disorders involving hemopoietic cells. In the ambiance of this rapidly moving scientific era, the necessity for review of what is being accomplished and where the technical potential is taking us needs no argument. This volume presents the proceedings of the third annual symposium on the Molecular Biology of Hemopoiesis, held in the Rye Town Hilton, New York, November 6 and 7, 1987, under the auspices of New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York. The fact that this was the third regular symposium covering this area in itself testifies to a need for exchange of the rapidly developing knowledge in this area. But this third symposium also coincided with the centennial of the National Institutes of Health and consequently the symposium was dedicated to this festive occasion.

Inhalt
Opening Remarks.- Historical Role of the National Institutes of Health in Biomedical Research.- A Tribute to the National Institutes of Health.- Genetic Considerations.- Retroviral Transfer of Genes into Canine Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells.- Retroviral-Mediated Gene Transfer into Hemopoietic Cells.- Retroviral Gene Transfer: Applications to Human Therapy.- Construction of a Safe and Efficient Retrovirus Packaging Cell Line.- Lineage Specific Expression of a Human B-Globin Gene in Murine Bone Marrow Transplant Recipient.- A Comparison of Methods for Analysis of mRNA in Hematopoietic Cells: Conventional and Clonal Northern Analysis and in Situ Hybridization.- Haemopoietic Regulation and the Role of the Macrophage in Erythropoietic Gene Expression.- Molecular Implications of Ph (+) Myelodysplastic Syndrome.- Evaluation of C-SIS mRNA Expression by Human Megakaryocytic Cells in Normals and Patients with Myeloproliferative Disorders.- Expression of Specific Isoforms of Protein 4.1 in Erythroid and Non-Erythroid Tissues.- Expression of Heme Oxygenase Gene in Hemopoiesis.- Regulation of Fetal Globin Gene Expression in Human Erythroleukemia (K562) Cells.- Human Gene Expression in Murine Hemopoietic Cells In Vivo.- Cellular Considerations.- Homing of Hemopoietic Stem Cells to Hemopoietic Stroma.- The Significance of Free RAdicals and Free RAdical Scavengers in L1210 Leukemia.- Exogenous and Endogenous Regulators of Human Megakaryocytopoiesis.- Detection of a Human Hemopoietic Progenitor Cell Capable of Forming Blast Cell Containing Colonies In Vitro.- Studies of Murine Megakaryocyte Colony Size and Ploidization.- Factors Regulatory Megakaryocytopoiesis and Platelet Formation.- Effect of Sustained Hypertransfusion of Rauscher Leukemia Virus-Variant A (RLV-A) Infection in BALB/cMice.- Role of Immunocompetent Cells in the Regulation of Human Megakaryocytopoiesis In Vitro.- The Effect of Prostaglandin E1 on Megakaryocyte Proliferation In Vitro.- Parabiotic Demonstration of a Substance Released from Burned Tissue Affecting Marrow Megakaryocyte Diameter and Number in Mice.- Growth Factors.- Preclinical and Clinical Effects of the Hematopdietic Colony Stimulating Factors.- Current Status of Thrombopoietin.- Abnormalities of the Hematopoietic Regulatory Network.- Growth Factor-Related Mechanisms of Leukemogenesis.- Stimulation of Early and Late Erythropoietic Progenitor Cells by Insulin: Evidence for Different Mechanisms.- Serine Proteases Promote Human CFU-GM in Methylcellulose Culture Systems.- Molecularly Characterized Factors Governing the Growth of Murine Multipotent Stem Cells in Serum-Depleted Marrow Cultures.- Marrow Reticulo-Fibroblastoid Colonies (CFU-RF Derived) Spontaneously Release an Erythroid Colony (BFU-E) Enhancing Factor.- Increased BPA Production Modulates EPO Sensitivity of Circulating BFU-E in Sickle Cell Anemia.- Production of Erythropoietin by an Established Human Renal Carcinoma Cell Line: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.- Closing Remarks.- Concluding Remarks and Future Directions.