Hox transcription factor regulation of adult bone-marrow-derived cell behaviour during tissue repair and regeneration

Abstract

Introduction: Bone marrow offers a valuable source of stem/progenitor cells that contribute to the repair of injured tissues. Failure in the function of these cells results in delayed or reduced tissue repair. Identification of factors that can correct these defects is critical to treating the underlying dysfunction. Notably, homeobox (Hox) transcription factors have been identified as having significant effects on BMDC behaviour, including differentiation, migration and adhesion in injured tissue, and may provide a basis for future therapies.

Areas covered: Hox protein regulation of bone-marrow-derived cell (BMDC) differentiation, factors that influence BMDC behaviour in response to injury, the effects of the diabetic environment on BMDCs, methods that can be used to reprogramme BMDCs, and the use of Hox transcription factors to correct BMDC behaviour.

Expert opinion: Hox gene therapy has been successfully employed to change cell behaviour using ex vivo ‘reprogramming’ strategies overexpressing selected Hox genes in BMDCs to direct the fate of these cells to the desired cell type, promoting tissue repair.

Keywords::

• bone-marrow-derived cells
• Hox genes
• impaired wound healing
• tissue repair and regeneration
• transcription factor reprogramming

Notes

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.