Immunopharmacology: regulation of precursor cells.

A new area of immunopharmacology is described which deals with the regulation of the neogenesis of blood-forming cells. Hemo/immunopoiesis is the process which describes the differentiative and proliferative status of cells as they progress from the most primitive pluripotent stem cell to the most mature functional end-stage cells (erythrocytes, myeloid cells and lymphocytes). This so-called "hemic cell renewal" system is under intricate control mechanisms which can be modulated by the "hemopoietic-inductive microenvironment", cell-cell interactions, hemopoietins, cyclic nucleotides, calcium, prostaglandins and pharmacological agents. Hopefully, the interesting findings that have occurred in this area of research over the past decade can be translated into useful clinical modalities for the treatment of hematological and immunological disorders.