Requirement for CD44 in proliferation and homing of hematopoietic precursor cells

The hematopoietic form of the adhesion molecule CD44 is known to be involved in lymphocyte maturation and homing. To define lineage and stage of maturation, which requires expression of CD44, murine long-term bone marrow cultures were established. Stroma formation and proliferation of early as well as committed erythroid, myeloid, and lymphoid progenitors were evaluated under the influence of monoclonal anti-CD44 antibodies. Although the formation of stromal elements was not affected, formation of cobblestone areas was completely abolished. [3H]thymidine suicide confirmed that anti-CD44 treatment interfered with the proliferation of early and committed hematopoietic progenitor cells. In addition, homing and seeding of bone marrow cells was impaired by anti-CD44. The data are indicative of a dual functional mode of CD44 in adhesion and proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors and confirm an essential requirement for the molecule in early stages of hematopoiesis.