Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization

Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is a therapeutic process used to move hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs/HSPCs) from the bone marrow into peripheral blood, where they can be collected for transplantation or gene therapy. Mobilization is typically induced with pharmacologic agents such as G-CSF and plerixafor, which disrupt retention signals (primarily the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis) and modulate the bone marrow niche, increasing the release and trafficking of HSCs. Mobilization is critical for clinical protocols in autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, especially in cancer and genetic diseases, and is associated with well-defined advantages over bone marrow harvesting, including faster immune recovery and reduced patient morbidity. Mobilization regimens may include combinations of cytokines, chemokines, and other small molecules, and ongoing research seeks safer and more effective mobilization strategies. Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is not a classical molecular target, but rather a process or program incorporating multiple molecular targets and cellular actors.

Other names

hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilizationHSC mobilizationstem cell mobilization

Mechanism of action involves disruption of SDF-1/CXCR4 retention signals, modulation of the bone marrow niche (osteoclast/osteoblast balance), induction of proteolytic enzyme activity (MMPs, cathepsins), modulation of endothelial permeability (CD26/dipeptidylpeptidase-4 action), and innate immune activation and sterile inflammation affecting HSC egress.