Hematopoietic effects of activating the Hedgehog pathway.

Funded Activity Summary

The hedgehog proteins are important for normal human development. They are expressed on cells of the brain and developing limbs and provide important signals to neighbouring cells so that development of the brain and limbs can occur normally. Mutations in genes within the hedgehog signalling pathway lead to congenital abnormalities such as failure of the brain to fold properly and shortened limbs or extra digits. Hedgehog proteins also stimulate the growth of adult stem cells that are responsible for the maintenance of many adult tissues such as the skin, bone and hair. Excessive hedgehog signalling however can lead to cancers, particularly of the brain and skin. The ability of hedgehog proteins to stimulate the growth of stem cells raises their use for expansion of stem cells. This would be particularly useful for umbilical cord blood stem cells, which could be used to treat patients with leukemia if there were sufficient numbers. This project will examine the potential use of hedgehog proteins for stimulating blood stem cells.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $410,551.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Genetic Immunology

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

Conditional gene targeting | Growth factor | Haemopoiesis | Lymphocyte differentiation | Stem Cells | bone marrow stroma | bone marrow transplantation | cell growth/differentiation | haemopoietic stem cells | morphogenesis

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