Regulation of Stroma Function: Role of CD44

Back to Dr. Muller-Sieburg's
Main Page

The clonal stromal cell line, S17, derived from bone marrow, maintains high levels of repopulating stem cells. We found that the support capacity of this line can be regulated via the cell surface molecule CD44. Using CD44-specific mAb, we found that stem cell support can be either suppressed or enhanced depending on the epitope of CD44 detected by the mAb. Using genetic tools we showed that the enhancing effect is specific for the stroma while the suppressive effect act on the hematopoietic compartment. Both effects involve signal transduction in the target cell compartment. Thus, CD44, believed to be an adhesion molecule, has unexpected regulator roles in stem cell maintenance. To identify the physiological ligands for the CD44 epitopes we are screening a panel of extracellular matrix molecules and peptide libraries. We anticipate that potential ligands will have therapeutic applications in improving recovery of stem cells after marrow ablation.

Mesanchymal Stem Cells/Stromal Cells

Stromal Cell Regulation of Stem Cell Maintenance

Establishment of Stroma: Role of M-SCF

Regulation of Stroma Function: Role of CD44