Transformation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells by Leukemia Extracellular Vesicles: A Step Toward Leukemogenesis

Regulation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) self-renewal, expansion, and differentiation is an inevitable process for normal hematopoiesis in the bone marrow (BM) niche, where leukemia cells are born, proliferate and occupy the microenvironment. External mediators such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) shed from leukemia cells, are one of the most important cell to cell communicators, and leading to phenotype and genotype modification and subsequently, fate of the cell. This review highlights recent evidences about the possible roles of leukemia derived-EVs on maintenance, proliferation, and death of HSPCs in a same microenvironment as leukemia cells. In addition, it focuses on mechanisms involved in the transformation of BM niche in favor of leukemia microenvironment remodeling by leukemia derived-EVs.