Gene in stem cell mobilization targeted

Here is a huge finding for bone marrow and blood cell transplantation…a gene responsible for the division and movement of marrow-derived, blood-forming stem cells has been discovered and isolated. Wow, this is huge news for so many disease processes. Simply amazing. What does it have to do with diabetics?

Blood cell transplantation may also one day help people with diabetes better tolerate islet cell transplants without the need for prolonged use of powerful immunosuppressive drugs. In addition, transplantation of blood-forming stem cells, also called hematopoietic stem cells, may prove useful in halting the autoimmune process that causes type 1 diabetes

By targeting these genes for migration we can help to mobilize cells in people that have slow moving or ill-mobilized stem cells. Never ceases to amaze me…

via Science Daily/Joslin Diabetes Center