Ricerc@Sapienza

Populations of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs, also known as bone marrow–derived “mesenchymal stem cells”) contain a subset of cells that are able to recapitulate the formation of a bone/marrow organ (skeletal stem cells, SSCs). It is now apparent that cells with similar but not identical properties can be isolated from other skeletal compartments (growth plate, periosteum). The biological properties of BMSCs, and these related stem/progenitor cells, are assessed by a variety of assays, both in vitro and in vivo.

No abstract available

Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic members of type I innate lymphocytes (ILC1) with a prominent role in antitumor
and anti-viral immune responses. Despite the increasing insight into NK cell biology, the steps and stages
leading to mature circulating NK cells require further investigation. Natural killer cell development and functional
maturation are complex and multi-stage processes that occur predominantly in the bone marrow (BM) and
originate from haematopoietic stem cells CD34+ (HSC). Within the BM, NK cell precursor (NKP) and NK cell

Our body is continuously in contact with external stimuli that need a fine integration with the internal milieu in order to maintain the homeostasis. Similarly, perturbations of the internal environment are responsible for the alterations of the physiological mechanisms regulating our main functions. The nervous system and the immune system represent the main interfaces between the internal and the external environment.