LABORATORY RESEARCH Wnt5a Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Proliferation and Repopulation Through the Ryk Receptor The authors tested the hypothesis that the Ryk protein, a Wnt ligand receptor that can bind the Wnt5a ligand, regulated the response of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to Wnt5a. They observed that inhibiting Ryk blocked the ability of Wnt5a to induce HSC quiescence and enhance short-term and long-term hematopoietic repopulation. [Stem Cells] Abstract Characteristic Phenotypes Associated with Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia (Type II) Manifest at Different Stages of Erythropoiesis Scientists employed an in vitro culture system to monitor the appearance of the defining phenotypes associated with Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia Type II during terminal differentiation of erythroblasts derived from small volumes of patient peripheral blood. [Haematologica] Abstract | Full Article CD137 Ligand Reverse Signaling Skews Hematopoiesis towards Myelopoiesis during Aging CD137L is expressed on the surface of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and upon binding to CD137 induces reverse signaling into hematopoietic progenitor cells promoting their activation, proliferation and myeloid differentiation. Since aging is associated with an increasing number of myeloid cells researchers investigated the role of CD137 and CD137L on myelopoiesis during aging. [Aging] Full Article Utilization of TREC and KREC Quantification for the Monitoring of Early T- and B-Cell Neogenesis in Adult Patients after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Scientists examined whether quantification of T cell receptor excision circle, (TREC) and kappa-deleting recombination excision circle (KREC) before and within six months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could be used to measure the thymic and bone marrow outputs in such patients. [J Transl Med] Full Article CLINICAL RESEARCH Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Autologous Transplantation as Early Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Scientists reviewed characteristics and outcomes of 20,278 patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation within 12 months of multiple myeloma diagnosis in the US and Canada and registered at the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research in three time cohorts: 1995-1999, 2000-2004 and 2005-2010, reflecting increasing availability of novel drugs. [Biol Blood Marrow Transplant] Abstract Addition of Plerixafor for CD34+ Cell Mobilization in Six Healthy Stem Cell Donors Ensured Satisfactory Grafts for Transplantation The authors present six cases in which the “just-in-time” addition of plerixafor ensured proper CD34+ collection from healthy donors with insufficient granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor mobilization. In four of these cases a high number of CD34+ cells was needed due to subsequent CD34+ selection or haploidentical transplantation. [Transfusion] Abstract Intensive Induction Chemotherapy Followed by Myeloablative Chemotherapy with Autologous Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Rescue for Young Children Newly-Diagnosed with Central Nervous System Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumors: The Head Start III Experience Nineteen children with newly diagnosed central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor were treated on the head start III protocol. Treatment consisted of surgical resection, five cycles of induction chemotherapy, followed by consolidation with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell rescue. [Pediatr Blood Cancer] Abstract |