Abstract: Haematopoietic stem cell mobilization is a process whereby haematopoietic stem cells are stimulated out of the bone marrow space. Before HSC can mobilize, they must be dislodged and released from the BM stem cell niche in which they reside and are retained by adhesive interactions. Accordingly, in an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for enhancing dislodgement of HSC and their precursors and progenitors thereof from a BM stem cell binding ligand in vivo or ex vivo, said method comprising administering in vivo or ex vivo an effective amount of an antagonist of an a 9 integrin or an active portion thereof to the BM stem cell niche. Once mobilized to the peripheral blood (PB) the HSC may be collected for transplant. Methods which enhance mobilization of the HSC can also improve treatments of haematological disorders.

Abstract: Haematopoietic stem cell mobilization is a process whereby haematopoietic stem cells are stimulated out of the bone marrow space. Before HSC can mobilize, they must be dislodged and released from the BM stem cell niche in which they reside and are retained by adhesive interactions. Accordingly, in an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for enhancing dislodgement of HSC and their precursors and progenitors thereof from a BM stem cell binding ligand in vivo or ex vivo, said method comprising administering in vivo or ex vivo an effective amount of an antagonist of an ?9 integrin or an active portion thereof and a CXCR4 antagonist or an active portion thereof to the BM stem cell niche. Once mobilized to the peripheral blood (PB) the HSC may be collected for transplant. Methods which enhance mobilization of the HSC can also improve treatments of haematological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising providing an agent which binds to ?9?1 integrin on the cell surface to a population of cells including HSCs and separating HSCs by virtue of the binding agent. The invention also provides a method of culturing a population of HSCs in the presence of an agent which binds to ?9?1, wherein the agent inhibits differentiation of the HSCs. The invention also provides a method of producing a population of lineage committed cells comprising culturing HSCs in the presence of an agent which inhibits or prevents binding to ?9?1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) or progeny thereof comprising the steps of: obtaining a cell sample including HSC or progeny thereof; detecting the presence of at least one carbohydrate sequence having a sequence of at least one disaccharide repeat of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine or an equivalent thereof; and identifying a HSC or progeny thereof having the sequence or equivalent thereof. The invention also relates to methods of enriching cell populations for HSC or progeny thereof, for isolating HSC or progeny thereof and cell preparations obtained using the methods of their invention and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) or progeny thereof comprising the steps of: obtaining a cell sample including HSC or progeny thereof; detecting the presence of at least one carbohydrate sequence having a sequence of at least one disaccharide repeat of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine or an equivalent thereof; and identifying a HSC or progeny thereof having the sequence or equivalent thereof. The invention also relates to methods of enriching cell populations for HSC or progeny thereof, for isolating HSC or progeny thereof and cell preparations obtained using the methods of their invention and their uses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selecting hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) comprising providing an agent which binds to ?9?1 integrin on the cell surface to a population of cells including HSCs and separating HSCs by virtue of the binding agent. The invention also provides a method of culturing a population of HSCs in the presence of an agent which binds to ?9?1, wherein the agent inhibits differentiation of the HSCs. The invention also provides a method of producing a population of lineage committed cells comprising culturing HSCs in the presence of an agent which inhibits or prevents binding to ?9?1.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, culture media, and apparatus to produce useful amounts of specific cell populations ex vivo by the modulation of Opn and/or an active Opn fragment. The present invention provides ex vivo expanded populations of HSC for use in transplantation therapy and in clinical and research activities, such as drug screening, toxicity testing, and other research activities. Also provided are methods, devices and culture media are provided to inhibit Opn binding to HISC to promote the increased production of more differentiated cell populations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for self renewal of stem cells. In particular the invention relates to stem cells of increased transplant potential or enhanced self renewal, stem cell cultures derived therefrom and uses of the stem cell cultures for treatment and particularly for transplantation and gene therapy protocols.