Bone marrow-derived stem cell mobilization. Bone marrow stem cells may be mobilized by reducing the ligand SDF-1 and increasing the stem cell receptor CXCR4 to create a chemotatic gradient with the peripheral blood. G-CSF treatment increases MMP-9 to regulate changes in SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway, which is dependent on plasmin activation of MMP-9.
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Abbreviations: CXCR4, C-X-C receptor 4; G-CSF, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; MMP-9, matrix metalloproteinase-9; SDF-1, stromal-derived factor-1.