Which of the following proteins plays a crucial role in the adhesion of hematopoietic stem cells to the bone marrow niche, facilitating their retention and differentiation?

A CD34
B CXCR4
C VLA-4 ✓
D CD44

Explanation

VLA-4 (Very Late Antigen-4) is a protein that plays a key role in the adhesion of hematopoietic stem cells to the bone marrow niche, facilitating their retention and differentiation.

Source

Blood journal, Volume 123, Issue 22, 2014
Hematology Hematology: Hematopoiesis Hematology: Hematopoiesis Medium MEDICAL Confidence: high