Pleiotropic effects of prostaglandin E2 in hematopoiesis; prostaglandin E2 and other eicosanoids regulate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell function.

Eicosanoids have been implicated in the physiological regulation of hematopoiesis with pleiotropic effects on hematopoietic stem cells and various classes of lineage restricted progenitor cells. Herein we review the effects of eicosanoids on hematopoiesis, focusing on new findings implicating prostaglandin E(2) in enhancing hematopoietic stem cell engraftment by enhancing stem cell homing, survival and self-renewal. We also describe a role for cannabinoids in hematopoiesis. Lastly, we discuss the yin and yang of various eicosanoids in modulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell functions and summarize potential strategies to take advantage of these effects for therapeutic benefit for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.