Healthy Niche (IMAGE) Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Caption This molecular image shows immunofluorescence staining in the soft spongy section of trabecular bone in the femur of a young mouse. Red staining reveals the abundant presence of the protein osteopontin (OPN) in bone and endosteum of the marrow cavity, which is important to maintaining a healthy environment for blood-forming hematopoietic stem cells. Shown in blue are cell nuclei. Researchers report March 2 in the journal EMBO that restoring depleted osteopontin in aging bone marrow can rejuvenate the production of HSCs. The image was taken by Mehmet Sacma, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Germany. Credit University of Ulm Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.