Abstract
Although the expression of PECAM-1 (CD31) on vascular and haematopoietic cells within the bone marrow microenvironment has been recognized for some time, its physiological role within this niche remains unexplored. In this study we show that PECAM-1 influences steady state hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) progenitor number in the peripheral blood but not the bone marrow compartment PECAM-1-/- is required on both progenitors and bone marrow vascular cels in order for efficient transition between the blood and bone marrow to occur. We have identified key roles for PECAM-1 in both the regulation of HSC migration to the chemokine CXCL12, as well as maintaining levels of the matrix degrading enzyme MMP-9 in the bone marrow vascular niche. Using intravital microscopy and adoptive transfer of either wild type (WT) or PECAM-1-/- bone marrow precursors, we demonstrate that the increase in HSC progenitors in the blood is due in part to a reduced ability to migrate from blood to the bone marrow vascular niche. The findings suggest a novel role for a PECAM-1 as a regulator of resting homeostatic progenitor cell numbers in the blood.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e2338 |
Journal | PLoS ONE |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 4 Jun 2008 |