Open AccessExtrinsic control of stem cell fate: Practical considerations
Author(s) -
Mielcarek Marco,
Reems Joanna,
TorokStorb Beverly
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.5530150831
Subject(s) - homing (biology) , biology , stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , haematopoiesis , cell adhesion molecule , progenitor cell , transplantation , cytokine , immunology , cell adhesion , cell , genetics , medicine , ecology
Decades of experimental data suggest that hematopoietic stem cells can remain quiescent, divide, differentiate or die and further, that these cell fate decisions are determined by extracellular signals provided by the hematopoietic microenvironment (ME). Given the importance of the ME for regulating hematopoiesis, it is imperative that transplanted stem cells migrate efficiently and home to appropriate niches where they can receive regulatory signals. Currently the rapid engraftment seen after transplantation of cytokine‐mobilized blood‐derived stem cells would suggest that these cells are well‐equipped for homing. More recent concerns have now been raised by the possibility that in vitro expansion of these stem cells may diminish their ability to engraft. One possible explanation for this is that expansion protocols may alter adhesion molecule expression and consequently homing. Data presented in this report indicate that expression of adhesion molecules is altered following in vitro exposure to recombinant cytokines, and that various combinations of cytokines differentially modulate adhesion molecule expression. Stem Cells 1997; 15(suppl 1): 229‐236