Stem cell factor is selectively secreted by arterial endothelial cells in bone marrow

Abstract

Endothelial cells (EC) are known to contribute to haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance in the bone marrow (BM). Here the authors demonstrate that arterial ECs can be distinguished from sinusoidal ECs by podoplanin and Sca-1 expression, and that specifically arterial, but not sinusoidal ECs maintain HSCs by secreting SCF.