Breakthrough in Stem Cell Mobilization Could Revolutionize Transplant Success

In a significant advance for stem cell research, a team led by Dr. Ulrich Steidl, a prominent cell biology expert at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has unveiled findings that could vastly improve the effectiveness of stem-cell transplants. This research could have far-reaching implications for treating cancers like leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as other diseases requiring hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplants.

Dr. Steidl, who serves as interim director of the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, along with co-authors Dr. Britta Will and Dr. Xin Gao, spearheaded the study. Their research focuses on mobilizing HSCs, the blood-forming stem cells crucial for effective transplants. Typically, HSCs reside in the bone marrow, and extracting sufficient quantities for transplantation has been a persistent challenge.

"Our findings represent a fundamental advance in our understanding of how to improve HSC mobilization for clinical use," said Dr. Will, who is also the co-leader of the Stem Cell and Cancer Biology research program at the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC).

The study revealed that a process known as trogocytosis plays a critical role in determining whether HSCs remain in the bone marrow or migrate to the bloodstream, where they can be harvested for transplantation. Researchers discovered that HSCs engaging in trogocytosis, particularly those with high levels of the protein c-Kit on their surface, tend to stay in the bone marrow. This discovery suggests that inhibiting c-Kit could enhance HSC mobilization, making more cells available for transplants.

"This is the first time anyone has observed stem cells participating in trogocytosis," noted Dr. Gao, now an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Our ongoing efforts will delve deeper into the role of trogocytosis in HSCs, including its potential impact on blood regeneration and the elimination of defective stem cells."

The research, published in the journal Science, was initiated in the laboratory of the late Dr. Paul S. Frenette, a pioneer in stem cell research at Einstein. The study also included contributions from several prominent scientists across the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, reflecting the global significance of the work.

As researchers continue to explore the mechanisms behind HSC mobilization and trogocytosis, the potential for improving stem cell transplant outcomes and expanding their use in treating various diseases appears brighter than ever.