The hematopoietic niche and the autoreactive memory in autoimmune disorders

Abstract

Hematopoiesis is a complex process that takes place inside the bone marrow, where a specialized structure, the bone marrow niche, participates in the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cell functionality. Inflammatory conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, could alter this equilibrium leading to pathologic consequences. Immune cells, which also reside in the bone marrow, directly participate in sustaining the inflammatory state in autoimmune diseases. In particular, memory lymphocytes are key players in the long-term maintenance of the immune response against self-antigens, causing tissue damage and bone marrow alterations.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; B and T cell memory; Bone marrow niche; Hematopoiesis; Inflammation.