A group of Mater researchers have discovered a key part to the bone marrow regeneration process which has the potential to improve outcomes for patients who require bone marrow transplants.

A paper, highlighting that a small pool of resident macrophages that survive the pre-transplantation process could assist the new bone marrow received in a transplant, has been published in the American Society of Haematology’s journal, called Blood. 

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that are best known for their ability to engulf and destroy bacteria and alert the other components of the immune system to respond appropriately to infection.

Mater Research Bones and Immunology Group Leader, Associate Professor Allison Pettit, said the significant discovery had great promise towards improving the success of bone marrow transplants, with further research to be undertaken.

A/Prof Allison Pettit - Mater Research Bones and Immunology Group Leader