In our body, stem cells and their progenitors are present in a particular microenvironments or niches- an environment with unique chemical and physical properties. Usually, Cells present in our body have specific roles, but stem cells are the cells that do not yet have any specific role and can become almost any cell by the process of differentiation.
Stem cells and progenitor cells are regulated by systemic factors as well as local stem cell niche-derived factors. Stem and progenitor cells residing within a niche are shielded off from signals that push them towards differentiation. Thus, their state and fate are maintained if they are housed within a niche. However, how systemic and localized niche signals collaborate in achieving normal tissue functioning is not well known.
Now a research team led by Dr. Lolitika Mandal at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER- Mohali) - have uncovered a novel function of Lar (leucocyte antigen like protein) that expresses in the blood stem cell niche. Lar acts as a rheostat to harmonize with insulin signalling which ensure normal functioning of the stem cell niche in Drosophila blood forming organ (Lymph gland). The results of this study were published in the journal Development.
In this study, researchers found molecule Lar as a localized factor that empowers niche to estimate the physiological state of an organism. They observed, Lar protein controls the exposure of the niche cells to insulin signalling and thereby controlling their proliferation and function.
The study is significant, and especially for diseases where there is a rise in factors of systemic signals, the modulation at known local factors would be useful for designing therapeutic interventions.