Media compositions and methods of enhancing binding of cells to an integrin-binding ligand comprising treating integrin-expressing hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo with an agonist of integrin, wherein the integrin is selected from the group consisting of 4 1, 5 1, 4 7, v 3 and L 2, and contacting the treated cells ex vivo with an integrin-binding ligand； integrin agonist compounds having the general formula I； methods of treating integrin-expressing cells with such agonists to enhance binding； and therapeutic methods comprising administering agonist-treated cells with minimal exposure agonist compounds to a mammal requiring stem cell transplantation in the management of hematologic cancers and genetic diseases.
