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Fig. 1 | BMC Biology

Fig. 1

From: Articulating the “stem cell niche” paradigm through the lens of non-model aquatic invertebrates

Fig. 1

Schematic illustrations for some of the best-characterized stem cell niches. A Human hematopoietic SCN: This is one of the best-characterized niches, with the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) receiving systemic and local signals. The niche is perivascular, created partly by mesenchymal stromal cells and endothelial cells and often but not always located near trabecular bones (diagram based on [39]). B Drosophila melanogaster gonadal niche (based on [40]): A germarium with mature oocytes in the proximal region and cap cells in the distant region. The latter cells comprise the major component of the niche and maintain permanent contact with developing germinal cells (here, oocytes, though the sperm cells reside in a similarly constructed niche). C Caenorhabditis elegans gonadal niche: The germinal line differentiates in a distal-to-proximal direction, with the DTCs (distal tip cells) as key components of the niche (based on [41]). D Hydra I-cell site location (diagram based on [20]): here a stem cell (I-cell) resides within the epidermal epithelium. Both stem cells and their precursors are maintained via a collection of signals and interactions with the ECM. Precursors not only attach to the ECM but exhibit the capacity to penetrate it and thereby move into the endodermal epithelium. More details on each niche type are provided in the text

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