Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, which are mediated by cell adhesion molecules, play a fundamental role during many cellular processes including growth, differentiation, cell migration and cancer metastasis. One molecule playing a major role in these processes is the CD44 surface receptor, which is expressed in a wide range of cells including many cells of the hemopoietic system, where it mediates the interaction with its major ligand, hyaluronate. However, little is known about CD44 and hyaluronate in bone marrow and this was investigated immunohistochemically in trephine biopsies and in cultivated human bone marrow stromal cells. In biopsy specimens, patches of hyaluronate deposition were detected in the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, most of the areas of the ECM were devoid of hyaluronate. Single mast cells and lymphocytes scattered throughout the marrow were CD44 immunopositive. Marrow-derived stromal cells (MDSC) expanded in cell culture were immunopositive for CD44, hyaluronate synthase, and hyaluronate. Hence, a marked difference between CD44 immunolocalisation and hyaluronate deposition can be observed between in situ and under cell culture conditions. Since in normal marrow in situ the number of CD44 immunopositive cells was low, interactions of CD44 and hyaluronate would appear to not to play a major role in cell adhesion in the normal bone marrow.
