Contribution of {alpha}6-integrins to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell homing to bone marrow and collaboration with {alpha}4-integrins.
The laminin receptor integrin alpha 6 chain is ubiquitously expressed in human and mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. We have studied its role for homing of stem and progenitor cells to mouse hematopoietic tissues In vivo. A function-blocking anti-integrin alpha 6 antibody significantly reduced progenitor cell homing to bone marrow (BM) of lethally irradiated mice, with a corresponding