aorta-gonad-mesonephros

A transient organ in the developing embryo composed of the dorsal aorta, developing gonads, and embryonic kidney. This structure is located in the embryonic mesoderm and serves as the primary site for the generation of definitive hematopoietic stem cells.

Type Vessel
Structure parente embryonic structure

Questions fréquentes

What is the aorta-gonad-mesonephros region?
The aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) is a transient region in the developing embryo composed of the dorsal aorta, the developing gonads (genital ridges), and the embryonic kidney (mesonephros). Located in the embryonic mesoderm, this structure is recognized as the primary site for the de novo generation of definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during embryogenesis.
Where is the aorta-gonad-mesonephros located?
The AGM region is located in the trunk of the developing embryo, within the embryonic mesoderm. It corresponds to the region of the future abdomen, where the dorsal aorta runs alongside the developing gonads and mesonephric ridges. In human embryos, AGM-type hematopoiesis is active around the 4th to 6th week of development.
What is the function of the aorta-gonad-mesonephros?
The AGM is involved in generating the definitive hematopoietic stem cells that will ultimately populate the fetal liver, spleen, and bone marrow to sustain lifelong hematopoiesis. Clusters of hematopoietic cells bud from the floor of the dorsal aorta within this region—a process known as aortic hematopoiesis—establishing the HSC pool for the organism.
What conditions may affect the aorta-gonad-mesonephros?
Disruptions to the molecular signals governing AGM hematopoiesis—such as mutations in transcription factors like RUNX1 or defects in Notch signaling—may be associated with failure to establish a normal HSC pool. Research on AGM hematopoiesis is relevant to understanding hematological malignancies that originate from defects in early stem cell specification.
How is the aorta-gonad-mesonephros examined?
The AGM region is examined primarily in embryonic specimens using histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin, which reveal hematopoietic cell clusters in the aortic floor. Immunohistochemistry with markers such as CD34, CD31, and c-Kit identifies hematopoietic progenitors. In vitro colony-forming assays and transplantation experiments assess the hematopoietic activity of AGM-derived cells.

Structures associées

mucus body coating mucous body coating mucus cocoon mucous cocoon Mullerian duct ductus paramesonephricus multi cell part structure cell part cluster multicellular anatomical structure multicellular structure multilaminar epithelium laminated epithelium multi-tissue structure multi-tissue structures multi-unit eye

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.