A new study has revealed insights into how haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are retained in the bone marrow, which the scientists claim is a “fundamental advance in our understanding” that could improve the effectiveness of stem cell transplants.
Researchers in New York, USA, say their findings may point the way to improving the mobilisation of donor stem cells, enabling significant improvements in harvesting.
In a laboratory-based study involving mice, the research team discovered that some HSCs carry markers which are normally found on the surface of macrophages. These macrophage marker-carrying HSCs are resistant to stem cell mobilisation, and are more likely to be retained in the bone marrow, compared to HSCs which don’t carry macrophage markers.
The team identified that a process called trogocytosis was involved, where one cell takes chunks of cell surface membrane from another neighbouring cell. The researchers highlighted the role of the protein c-Kit, with HSCs rich in c-Kit being able to undergo trogocytosis, enabling them to carry the macrophage markers which keep the stem cells in the bone marrow.
The researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine say it is the first time trogocytosis has been seen in stem cells. It suggests that impairing c-Kit could prevent trogocytosis, possibly increasing the potential for stem cell mobilisation.
The team plan extensive studies of the process to investigate whether it has wider implications in blood health.
The findings have been reported in Science and also involved researchers in the UK and China.
Researcher Professor Ulrich Steidl, professor for myelodysplastic syndromes, said: “Our research has the potential to improve the success of stem-cell transplants and expand their use.”
Fellow researcher Dr Britta Will said: “Our ongoing efforts will look for other functions of trogocytosis in haematopoietic stem cells, including potential roles in blood regeneration, eliminating defective stem cells and in haematologic malignancies.”
Source:
Gao X, Carpenter RS, Boulais PE, Zhang D, Marlein CR, Li H, Smith M, Chung DJ, Maryanovich M, Will B, Steidl U, Frenette PS. (2024) “Regulation of the hematopoietic stem cell pool by c-Kit-associated trogocytosis.” Science, 9 August 2024, doi: 10.1126/science.adp2065.
Link: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp2065
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