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The biology of stem cell factor, a new hematopietic growth factor involved in stem cell regulation

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International Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Research

Summary

Recently, a new hematopoietic growth factor, stem cell factor, the ligand for the c-kit-proto-oncogene, has been cloned. The gene for this factor or for its receptor are deleted in two well know series of mice mutants which display pleiotropic stem cell defects. Therefore, this factor supposedly plays an important role in stem cell biology. This paper reviews some of the elegant genetic work which led to the discovery of the factor and of its receptor, the biological effects that this factor exerts in the hematopoietic system in normal individuals and in patients with Diamond-Blackfan anemia and speculates on some of its potential clinical applications.

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Author notes

  1. Giovanni Migliaccio

    Present address: Laboratory of Hematopoietic Growth Factor Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, 10021, New York, NY, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto Superiore di Santità, Rome, Italy

    Maria Cristina Galli, Anna Rita Migliaccio & Giovanni Migliaccio

  2. Division of Pediatrics, The New York Hospital, New York, USA

    Patricia-Jane V. Giardina

  3. Laboratory of Hematopoietic Growth Factor Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, 310 East 67th Street, 10021, New York, NY, USA

    Anna Rita Migliaccio

Authors
  1. Maria Cristina Galli
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  2. Patricia-Jane V. Giardina
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  3. Anna Rita Migliaccio
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  4. Giovanni Migliaccio
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Galli, M.C., Giardina, PJ.V., Migliaccio, A.R. et al. The biology of stem cell factor, a new hematopietic growth factor involved in stem cell regulation. Int J Clin Lab Res 23, 70–77 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02592286

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