VCAM-1-positive stromal cells from human bone marrow producing cytokines for B lineage progenitors and for plasma cells: SDF-1, flt3L, and BAFF.

The differentiation of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow is guided by the surrounding microenvironment determined by cytokines, adhesion molecules, and the extracellular matrix. These microenvironmental factors are mainly provided by stromal cells. In this paper, we report the identification of a VCAM-1-positive stromal cell population by flow cytometry.