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Review
. 2025 Jul;401(1):15-27.
doi: 10.1007/s00441-025-03974-2. Epub 2025 May 17.

Liquid-liquid phase separation in normal hematopoiesis and hematological diseases

Lexuan Lin  1 , Fang He  1 , Xu Jin  1 , Xiaoru Zhang  1 , Yue Li  1 , Di Wang  1 , Jingwei Wang  1 , Lingyue Zheng  1 , Haoze Song  1 , Xu Zhu  1 , Qimei Cheng  1 , Yitong Zhao  2 , Jing Liang  1 , Jinfa Ma  1 , Jie Gao  1 , Jingyuan Tong  1 , Lihong Shi  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Liquid-liquid phase separation in normal hematopoiesis and hematological diseases

Lexuan Lin et al. Cell Tissue Res. 2025 Jul.

Abstract

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an emerging research field in cellular biology. LLPS-driven biomolecular condensates act as reaction chambers and regulatory hubs for critical processes, including chromatin architecture, gene expression, and metabolism. The dysregulation of these processes frequently impedes the proper execution of physiological functions. Current research indicates that abnormal phase separation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases and aging. This review briefly overviews the fundamental concepts and research methods related to phase separation. We also summarize studies concerning its physiological functions, particularly emphasizing its role in hematopoiesis. We further discuss how abnormal phase separation can lead to hematological disorders, specifically summarizing its involvement in the pathogenesis of leukemia. Despite recent advancements, elucidating LLPS mechanisms in hematopoiesis remains challenging due to the intricate interplay between biomolecular condensates and cellular function. Future research efforts aiming to reveal the role of LLPS in hematological diseases hold promise for novel therapeutic interventions and a deeper understanding of hematopoietic processes.

Keywords: Hematopoiesis; Leukemogenesis; Liquid–liquid phase separation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: Not applicable. Informed consent: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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