Homing of hemopoietic stem cells to hemopoietic stroma.

The existing knowledge of the molecular mechanism that underlies the successful engraftment of hemopoietic progenitor cells in their specific stromal microenvironment has been discussed. It appears that membrane lectins on the surface of the stem cell with specificity for galactose with and/or mannose-bearing glycoconjugates on the surface of the stromal cell are involved. This recognition and binding of hemopoietic stem cells which is called "homing" initiates the processes of differentiation, proliferation, and maturation of hemopoietic cells.