Redox regulation of stem cell mobilization.

A growing body of evidence supports the role of redox signaling in the mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and homing. Cytokines and adhesion molecules control stem cell mobilization through a redox-regulated process. The FoxO-SirT network appears to be intimately involved in redox-regulated stem cell homeostasis, whereas the process of stem cell differentiation is regulated by redox effector factor-1 (Ref-1) protein. Lack of oxygen (hypoxia), specifically controlled hypoxia, can stimulate the growth of the stem cells in their niche, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha appears to play a significant role in their maintenance and homing mechanism.