Cellular interactions among marrow stromal and normal/neoplastic pre-B- and B-lymphoblastic cells

The direct interaction between B-cells, both normal and neoplastic, and marrow stromal cells (MSC) or MSC-secreted extracellular matrix proteins is believed to play a decisive role in lymphopoiesis as well as in the sustained proliferation and homing of lymphoid malignancies. Although information has been accruing on possible obligatory cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion molecules, our current state of knowledge regarding B-cell interaction with the marrow microenvironment is rather limited. We discuss in this review what is currently known regarding adhesion molecules involved in the apposition between B-cells and MSC. In addition, we describe how the cellular interactions are modulated by cytokines present in the marrow microenvironment. Further, we present possible signal transduction pathways activated by B-cell/MSC apposition and attempt to integrate in vitro data with in vivo observations. We close this review by providing implications for novel clinical and therapeutic applications based on the current knowledge of B-cell/MSC adhesion mechanisms and signaling pathways.