Stem cells are special cells that can develop into any type of cell in the body. They are found in the early embryo, and they continue to be produced in small numbers throughout adulthood. Stem cells are important for tissue repair and regeneration, and they are being studied as potential treatments for a variety of diseases.

One of the challenges in using stem cells is getting them to the right place in the body. Stem cells are often injected into the bloodstream, but they can then get trapped in the lungs or other organs. Researchers have been looking for ways to improve the targeting of stem cells so that they can be more effectively used to treat disease.

A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has identified a new way that stem cells exit the bloodstream. The researchers found that stem cells express a protein called CD49d, which binds to a protein called VCAM-1 on the surface of blood vessels. This binding interaction allows stem cells to roll along the blood vessel walls and eventually squeeze through into the surrounding tissue.

The researchers believe that this new finding could lead to new ways to target stem cells to specific tissues. By understanding how stem cells exit the bloodstream, researchers may be able to develop new strategies to deliver stem cells to the areas of the body where they are needed most.

The study was published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.

Source:

- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)