Circ J. 2010 Jan;74(1):188-94. Epub 2009 Nov 19.
Ex-vivo expanded umbilical cord blood stem cells retain capacity for myocardial regeneration.
Schlechta B, Wiedemann D, Kittinger C, Jandrositz A, Bonaros NE, Huber JC, Preisegger KH, Kocher AA.
University Clinic of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. bernhard.schlechta@meduniwien.ac.at
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of human hematopoietic precursor cells (HPCs), a stem cell (SC) type that has been used in several trials for myocardial repair. A certain minimal number of cells is required for measurable regeneration and a major challenge of SC-based regenerative therapy constitutes ex-vivo expansion of the primitive cell compartment. The aim of this study was to investigate the ex-vivo expansion potential of UCB-derived HPCs and the ability of these expanded cells to migrate to the site of damage and improve ventricular function in a rodent model of myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS: UCB-derived HPCs, defined by coexpression of CD133 and CD34, were expanded using various cytokine combinations. MI was induced by left anterior descending artery ligation in nude rats. Cells were injected intravenously 2 days after infarction. The combination of SC factor, thrombopoietin, flt3-ligand and interleukin-6 was found to be the most effective for inducing proliferation of HPCs. The migratory capacity of expanded HPCs was similar to that of non-expanded HPCs and improvement of ejection fraction was significant in both groups, with a relative increase of >60%. CONCLUSIONS: UCB-derived HPCs can be reproducibly expanded ex-vivo and retain their potential to improve cardiac function post-MI. (Circ J 2010; 74: 188 - 194).
J Turkish German Gynecol Assoc. Articles in Press: JTGGA-65768
The rational behind collecting umbilical cord blood
Nicolas H. Zech1, Nikolas Broer2, Iris Ribitsch3,4, Mathias H. Zech1, Karl-Heinz Broer3, Kubilay Ertan (se)5, Karl-Heinz Preisegger3
1Ivf Centers Prof. Zech, Bregenz, Austria And Department For Obstetrics And Gynaecology, Unit Of Gynaecological Endocrinology And Reproductive Medicine, University Of Graz, Austria
2Yale University School Of Medicine, Usa, And Center For Reproductive Medicine, Cologne, Germany
3Vivocell Biosolutions GmbH, Graz, Austria And Langenfeld/ Düsseldorf, Germany
4Translational Center For Regenerative Medicine, Leipzig
5Klinikum Leverkusen, Department Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an increasingly important and rich source of stem cells. These cells can be used for the treatment of many diseases, including cancers, immune and genetic disorders. For patients for whom no suitable related donor is available, this source of hematopoietic stem cells offers substantial advantages, notably the relative ease of procurement, the absence of risk to the donor, the small likelihood of transmitting clinically important infections, the low risk of severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and the rapid availability of placental blood to transplantation centers. Even though almost 80 diseases are treatable with cord blood stem cells, still 97 percent of the cord blood is still disposed of after birth and lost for patients in need! To improve availability of stem cells to a broader community, efforts should be undertaken to collect cord blood and expecting parents should be properly informed of their options with regard to cord blood banking.