Syndecan-1 and stromal heparan sulfate proteoglycans: key moderators of plasma cell biology and myeloma pathogenesis

摘要

Plasma cells no longer express a B-cell antigen receptor and are hence deprived of signals crucial for survival throughout B-cell development. Instead, normal plasma cells, aswell as their malignantmyelomacounterparts, heavily rely on communication with the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment for survival. The plasma cell heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) syndecan-1 (CD138) and HSPGs in the BM microenvironment act as master regulators of this communication by co-opting specific growth and survival factors from the BM niche. This designates syndecan-1/HSPGs and their synthesis machinery as potential treatment targets in multiple myeloma.