Stem Cells Follow The Leader

Singapore-

Scientists at Viacell announced the ability of unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC) to enhance migration and repopulation of hematopoietic stem cells in an animal model through secretion of the stem cell chemotactic factor SDF-1.

Chan et al in a publication titled "ENHANCED IN VIVO HOMING OF UNCULTURED AND SELECTIVELY AMPLIFIED CORD BLOOD CD34+ CELLS BY CO-TRANSPLANTATION WITH CORD BLOOD DERIVED UNRESTRICTED SOMATIC STEM CELLS" in today's issue of the journal Stem Cells, described that the administration of cells negative for the antigens CD14, CD31, CD33, CD34, CD45, CD56, CD133 and positive for CD13, CD29, CD44, and CD49e preferentially homed into bone marrow and spleen of NOD-SCID recipients and augmented hematopoietic reconstitution up to two-fold higher than controls.

The observation that certain subsets of stem cells may act as "leader" cells which home into an area of need and subsequently call other cells to that area is a novel concept and should be explored in areas outside of the hematopoietic stem cell arena. For example, are there also such "leader" stem cells after stroke or myocardial infarction that can be used to "call in" other stem cells?