How do stem cells find their way back to the bone marrow?

Jaap van Buul in Amsterdam Science Magazine

stem cell homingImage: A blood cell making its way through an endothelial cell using the transcellular route.

When a patient receives a hematopoietic stem cell (HPSC) transplantation, the stem cells are administered intravenously. In the Amsterdam Science Magazine Jaap van Buul explains how HPSCs find their way home to the bone marrow.

Jaap and his team studied how HSPCs leave the circulation and cross the vessel wall at molecular detail. Making this “homing” process more efficient would allow using a smaller number of HSPCs for reintroduction into the patient. This will benefit both patient and donor.

Go to the article in the Amsterdam Science Magazine.