[Ex vivo expansion of human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by TAT-HOXB4 homeoprotein and the prospect of its clinical use].

As one member of the HOX gene family, HOXB4 gene is a specific transcription factor, playing an important role in regulating balance between self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/ progenitor cells (HSPC). Recombinant human TAT-HOXB4 protein carrying the protein transduction domain of the HIV transactivating protein (TAT) is comparable to that induced by the human HOXB4 retrovirus. TAT-HOXB4-expanded HSPC populations keep the potential of differentiation and long-term repopulation in vivo. In this article, whether TAT-HOXB4 protein can induce leukemia or can be applied to clinical treatment are reviewed, summarizing the structures of HOX gene and HOXB4 gene, role of HOXB4 in HSPC proliferation and different ion, HOX gene and leukemia, TAT-HOXB4 protein, Clinical application prospect of TAT-HOXB4 protein and so on.