In this chapter, the impact of lipid molecules on hematopoiesis will be
reviewed in a format friendly to those outside the field. The focus of the review is on
how dietary fatty acids impact hematopoiesis through changes in differentiation. We
begin with a discussion of general hematopoiesis including the concepts of stem and
progenitor cells that drive hematopoiesis and the various cell types they produce. We
then will discuss the principles of epigenetic gene regulation and differentiation
pertinent to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Once these principles have been
introduced, we will examine how dietary lipids can impact hematopoietic
differentiation. The relationship of epigenetics and dietary lipids to leukemic and
preleukemic states will also be explored. We will conclude with a look at how WNT
signaling can impact hematopoiesis through epigenetic gene regulation, dietary lipids,
and differentiation.
Keywords: Cancer, Leptin, Leptin Receptor, Adipokine receptor, PI-3K,
JAK/STAT3, Obesity, Breast Cancer, Adipokine Receptor, WNT, NF (nuclear
factor)-κB, TNF-alpha, Blood Brain Barrier (BBB), Adiponectin, Adiponectin
receptor, ERK-1/2, Ras, central nervous system (CNS).
