B7: Direct contact between stem cells and their niche regulates self-renewal

 

Anthony D. Ho

 

Direct cell-cell contacts between hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and cellular determinants of the microenvironment regulate the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of HSC. The long-term goal of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the crosstalk between HSC and their niche. The immediate aims are: (1) to define the relative roles of SDF-1α/CXCR4, CD44 and N-cadherin in the interactions between HSC and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC); (2) to define the differences in molecular mechanisms leading to adhesion of leukemia stem cells (LSC) to the marrow niche as compared to HSC.