[The role of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis in hematopoiesis and the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells to peripheral blood].

The treatment of donors with a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) induces the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the bone marrow to the blood circulation and guarantees a sufficient number of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs). This mobilization and leukopheresis are very complicated and unclear processes because of the relationships between many factors from outside and inside of the body in the course of GCS-F's action. One of these factors is stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1, CXCL12), a member of the CXC chemokine family, which influences normal development of the embryo and directs many processes in mature organisms. This chemokine plays an important role in hematopoiesis leading to the normal development of hematopoietic cells. Interaction between SDF-1 and its receptor CXCR4 influences HSCs, which constitute a part of the transplantation material. This review describes SDF-1 and its effects on hematopoiesis and mobilization. Interactions between HSCs and their microenvironment are very important in all clinical transplantation procedures, starting from the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells in donors to the process of leukopheresis and transplantation, and ending with the last step when the organism regenerates all HSC populations. For this reason, part of this article is dedicated to the role of adhesion molecules (present on the surface of stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, and bone marrow cells) and SDF-1. This article deals with a small component of clinical transplantation. We hope that a deeper understanding of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis will allow considering this relation in clinical practice to improve transplantation protocols (i.e. through the use of SDF-1-antagonist as a mobilization factor).