Why your bones act as a protective sanctuary for your blood
In short: Your bones do much more than provide structure; they serve as a vital factory for your blood. While scientists have long known that blood production occurs in specific niches, new research suggests this location was chosen by evolution to shield delicate stem cells from the sun.
In humans and other mammals, the stem cells responsible for generating all blood cells are tucked away inside the bone. This specific environment is known as the 'blood stem cell niche.' For decades, biologists have been puzzled by why different species evolved to host this process in different anatomical locations. This biological mystery has intrigued the scientific community since the late 1970s. Biologists have spent forty years attempting to understand why different creatures host this function in varying anatomical locations.
Recent research led by Friedrich Kapp and his team has provided a compelling evolutionary answer. By studying zebrafish, researchers discovered that the location of the blood stem cell niche is driven by the need for protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In zebrafish, these cells are found in the kidney, shielded by a layer of melanocytes—the same pigment-producing cells that give human skin its color.
The mechanism was confirmed through observation and experimentation. Kapp noticed that melanocytes above the zebrafish kidney acted like a physical parasol. When zebrafish lacking these pigment cells were exposed to UV radiation, their blood stem cell counts dropped. Furthermore, when normal zebrafish were turned upside down and irradiated, they lost stem cells, proving the melanocyte layer was shielding the kidney from the rays above.
This discovery has significant implications for modern medicine. Understanding how these niches are protected could help scientists improve the safety of blood stem cell transplants, which are used to treat various cancers and blood disorders.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why Do Our Bones Make Our Blood?
- Also: Why we make blood cells in our bones | HSCRB
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