Katayama et al. 2006 Cell 124: 407–421

SUMMARY Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC), attracted by the chemokine CXCL12, reside in specific niches in the bone marrow (BM). HSPC migration out of the BM is a critical process that underlies modern clinical stem cell transplantation. Here we demonstrate that enforced HSPC egress from BM niches depends critically on the nervous system. UDP-galactose ceramide galactosyltransferase-deficient (Cgtÿ/ÿ) mice exhibit aberrant nerve conduction and display virtually no HSPC egress from BM following granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or fucoidan administration. Adrenergic tone, osteoblast function, and bone CXCL12 are dysregulated in Cgt ÿ/ÿmice. Pharmacological or genetic ablation of adrenergic neurotransmission indicates that [norepinephrine (NE) signaling controls G-CSF-induced osteoblast s…