A recent research reveals that modulating stiffness of blood-forming stem cells could possibly facilitate mobilisation procedures used for stem cell-based transplants.Results of the study from animal research were published in the Cell Stem Cell journal. Temporary squishiness could help drive blood-forming stem cells out of the bone marrow and into the blood, but the cells need to be stiff to stay put and replenish the blood and immune system, Scientists at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Georgia Tech have found out.How deformable cells are, and thus how stiff or squishy they are, plays an important role in retaining blood-forming stem cells in their marrow niches and thus preserving their long-term repopulation capabilities, informed lead author Cheng-Kui Qu, MD, PhD.The research provides insights into how alterations in blood stem cell biomechanics can be associated with certain blood disorders, including leukemias.'Bone marrow ...
