Mechanism of Human Stem Cell Migration and Repopulation of NOD/SCID and B2mnull NOD/SCID Mice

The mechanism of hematopoietic stem cell migration and repopulation is not fully understood. Murine fetuses that lack the chemokine stromal-derived factor one (SDF-1null) or its receptor CXCR4 (CXCR4null) have multiple defects that are lethal, including impaired bone marrow hematopoiesis. These results suggest a major role for SDF-1/CXCR4 interactions in murine stem cell homing from the fetal liver into the bone marrow and its repopulation during development. SDF-1 is highly conserved between different species. Human and murine SDF-1 are cross-reactive and differ in one amino acid. Recently, we reported that SDF-1 and CXCR4 are essential for homing and repopulation of immune-deficient NOD/SCID and B2mnull NOD/SCID mice by human stem cells. In addition, immature human CD34+ cells and primitive CD34+/CD38-/low cells, which do not migrate toward a gradient of SDF-1 in vitro, and do not home and repopulate in vivo the murine bone marrow, can become functional repopulating cells by short-term 16-48 hr in vitro stimulation with cytokines such as SCF and IL-6 prior to transplantation. These cytokines increase surface CXCR4 expression, migration toward SDF-1, and in vivo homing and repopulation. We discuss the pleiotropic roles of SDF-1/CXCR4 interactions in human stem cell migration, development, and repopulation in transplanted immune-deficient mice.