The Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization (hɛˌmætəʊpɔɪˈɛtɪk stɛm sɛl moʊbɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən) process is the movement of stem cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream. The word "hematopoietic" refers to the process of making blood cells, while "stem cell" refers to a type of cell that can develop into many different types of cells in the body. The word "mobilization" describes the process of moving cells from one location to another. Together, these words describe the process of inducing stem cells to move from the bone marrow into the bloodstream.
Hematopoietic stem cell mobilization refers to the process of stimulating and releasing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the bone marrow into the circulating blood. Hematopoietic stem cells are the precursors of all blood cells and have the ability to differentiate and give rise to various types of mature blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The mobilization of these stem cells is usually performed when HSC transplantation is required, such as in the treatment of certain types of cancer or hematological disorders. The process typically involves the administration of specific growth factors, such as granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce and release HSCs into the bloodstream.
Once mobilized, the HSCs can be collected from the blood through a procedure called apheresis, where blood is withdrawn from the patient, passed through a machine to separate and collect the stem cells, and then returned to the patient. Alternatively, the mobilized stem cells can be harvested directly from the bone marrow through a bone marrow aspiration procedure.
This process of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization is crucial for successful HSC transplantation, as it ensures a sufficient number of stem cells are available for collection, enabling the subsequent reconstitution of the patient's blood and immune system. The mobilized stem cells can be cryopreserved and stored until they are ready to be infused into the patient, where they will then migrate back to the bone marrow and initiate the process of hematopoiesis.