Marrow uptake of galactosyl-containing neoglycoproteins: implications in stem cell homing.

Tissue distribution of synthetic neoglycoproteins was studied after intravenous injection of 125I-labeled galactosyl-, mannosyl- and fucosyl-BSA. The highest uptake of all three reagents occurred in the bone marrow. Spleen also took up considerable proportions of galactosyl and mannosyl reagents, while liver only took up galactosyl-BSA. Implication of these findings in the recognition and homing of intravenously transplanted hemopoietic cells to bone marrow is discussed.