间充质干细胞对脐血CD34+细胞体外扩增和黏附分子表达的影响

目的研究间充质干细胞(MSC)对脐血CD34+细胞体外扩增能力和黏附分子表达的影响.方法从正常人骨髓中分离扩增MSC,通过免疫表型和向成骨细胞及脂肪细胞分化能力对其鉴定;将脐血CD34+细胞接种到MSC或其他培养液中,比较不同培养条件对造血细胞扩增能力、集落形成能力及黏附分子表达的影响.结果MSC表达Thy-1、SH2、SB10、CD44、CD13、CD49e和CD29,不表达CD34、CD45、HLA-DR、CD14和CD31,经过诱导可以向成骨细胞和脂肪细胞分化;实验组在MSC和细胞因子作用下,扩增8 d后有核细胞、CD34+、CD34+CD38-、CD34+CD62L+细胞和CFU-Cs分别扩增145.57±17.89,37.47±13.78,69.78±50.07,10.74±5.89和20.73±5.54倍,均显著高于对照组;扩增后CD34+细胞的ALCAM、VLA-α4、VLA-α5、VLA-β1、HCAM、PECAM和LFA-1表达较扩增前无明显变化,虽然ICAM-1和L-选择素表达下降,但实验组CD34+CD62L+和CD34+CD54+细胞的绝对数显著增加.结论MSC可为造血干细胞体外扩增提供适宜的微环境,有助于抑制HSC分化并保持其造血重建潜能和归巢能力.     

正常人骨髓、脐血及动员后外周血CD^＋34细胞粘附分子的研究

目的探讨正常人骨髓、脐血及动员后外周血CD34+细胞粘附分子的表达及外周血干细胞动员的可能机制.方法采用CD34+MultiSortKit免疫磁珠分离系统,分离纯化出正常人骨髓、脐血及动员后外周血CD34+细胞,流式细胞术检测其纯度,选择与CD34+细胞相关的粘附分子CD44、CD11a、CD18、CD49d、CD54、CD58及CD62L,进行免疫荧光标记及短期液体培养后再行免疫荧光标记,流式细胞术检测.结果动员后外周血CD34+细胞粘附分子表达CD44为(92.7±2.2)%[骨髓(93.1±2.3)%]、CD11a为(56.3±6.0)%[骨髓(61.8±7.8)%]、CD18为(65.2±6.0)%[骨髓(70.6±7.5)%]、CD49d为(39.4±7.2)%[骨髓(66.9±5.1)%]、CD54为(20.9±4.1)%[骨髓(24.1±3.8)%]、CD58为(77.9±5.8)%[骨髓(81.9±5.6)%]及CD62L为(45.9±5.6)%[骨髓(63.9±4.3)%],其表达均较骨髓为低,尤以CD49d和CD62L为著.脐血CD34+细胞CD11a为(55.5±6.5)%、CD18为(66.7±7.5)%、CD44为(90.3±4.0)%、CD49d为(63.7±6.7)%、CD62L为(50.8±5.9)%,其表达亦较骨髓为低,尤以CD62L为著,但脐血CD54的表达[(29.1±4.9)%]较骨髓及动员后外周血为高,尤较动员后外周血为著.结论不同来源CD34+细胞粘附分子表达存在差异,外周血细胞动员的机制可能与粘附分子的表达下调有关.     

Decreased stroma adhesion capacity of CD34+ progenitor cells from mobilized peripheral blood is not lineage- or stage-specific and is associated with low beta 1 and beta 2 integrin expression

Molecular mechanisms leading to mobilization of hematopoietic cells from bone marrow (BM) to peripheral blood (PB) involve modulation of adhesion molecule expression on these cells that probably result in changes in adhesion capacity to the microenvironment. However, it is not clear whether these changes involve different stages or lineages of progenitor cells. In this study, we compared the capacity of mature and immature clonogenic progenitor cells from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized PB and normal BM CD34+ cells to adhere to complete marrow stroma. This functional capacity was assessed concurrently with molecular expression on CD34+ cells of integrins VLA-4 (alpha 4/beta 1), VLA-5 (alpha 5/beta 1), and LFA-1 (alpha L/beta 2) by interindividual (between mobilized PB and normal BM) and intraindividual (between mobilized PB and steady-state BM and PB in the same patient) analysis. The proportion of adherent clonogenic progenitor cells was significantly lower in PB than in BM, not only for total progenitor cells but also for mature and immature progenitor cells, and the difference was found for granulocytic and particularly for erythroid lineages. The lower adhesion capacity of PB CD34+ cells to stroma was associated with decreased expression (signal/noise MFI ratio) of integrin alpha 4, beta 1, alpha L, and beta 2 chains whereas that of alpha 5 chain did not differ from BM cells with the lowest expression level. Similar differences in integrin expression levels were also found between mobilized PB and steady-state BM CD34+ cells in the same patient except for the alpha L chain. Moreover, we demonstrated for the first time a strong positive correlation between mobilizing capacity and expression levels on mobilized CD34+ cells for the LFA-1 alpha L chain but not for VLA-4 or VLA-5. In conclusion, the decreased adhesion capacity of mobilized PB progenitor cells to stroma involves different maturation stages and different lineages. This is associated with down-regulation of integrins VLA-4 and LFA-1, but mobilizing capacity appears positively correlated with LFA-1 levels.     

Mobilization and homing of peripheral blood progenitors is related to reversible downregulation of alpha4 beta1 integrin expression and function.

Despite the wide use of mobilized peripheral blood (PB) progenitor cells (PBPC) for clinical transplantation the mechanism(s) underlying their mobilization and subsequent engraftment are still unknown. We compared the adhesive phenotype of CD34(+) colony-forming cells (CFC) in bone marrow (BM) and PB of normal donors before and after administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 5 d. G-CSF-mobilized PB CFC cells adhered significantly less to BM stroma, fibronectin, and to the alpha4 beta1 binding fibronectin peptide, CS1, because of decreased expression of the alpha4 integrin. Since incubation of BM CD34(+) cells for 4 d with G-CSF at concentrations found in serum of G-CSF- treated individuals did not affect alpha4-dependent adhesion, G-CSF may not be directly responsible for the decreased alpha4-mediated adhesion of PB CFC. Culture of G-CSF-mobilized PB CD34(+) cells with cytokines at concentrations found in BM stromal cultures upregulated alpha4 expression and restored adhesion of mobilized PB CFC to stroma, fibronectin, and CS1. Adhesion of cultured, mobilized PB CFC to stroma and CS1 could not be further upregulated by the beta1 activating antibody, 8A2. This indicates acquisition of a maximally activated alpha4 beta1 integrin once PB CFC have been removed from the in vivo mobilizing milieu. Thus, decreased alpha4 expression on CD34(+) CFC in PB may be responsible for the aberrant circulation of mobilized PB CD34(+) cells. Reexpression of a maximally activated alpha4 beta1 integrin on mobilized PB CFC removed from the mobilizing in vivo milieu may contribute to the early engraftment of mobilized PBPC.     

高剂量化疗联合自体外周血造血干细胞移植时骨髓及外周血采集物中CD34+细胞黏附分子的表达

本研究的目的是应用免疫荧光直接三色标记和流式细胞术(FCM)，观测高剂量化疗(HDC)联合自体外周血造血干细胞移植(APBSCT)时不同阶段的骨髓及外周血CD34^ 细胞，表达CD54、CD49d和CD62L的情况，探讨不同来源的CD34^ 细胞表达黏附分子的差异及其临床意义。将动员前、干细胞采集后和移植结束而骨髓重建后的骨髓样本及每次外周血单个核细胞样本，以CD34-PE和CD45-PerCP标记的同时，分别加CD54-FITC、CD49d—FITC、CD62L—FITC直接三色荧光标记．应用FACS测定CD34^ 细胞及各黏附分子表达情况，并比较不同时段骨髓中各类黏附分子表达的差异，以及外周血造血干细胞采集物与动员前骨髓中各类黏附分子表达的差异。结果表明．动员前、采集后及移植重建后骨髓中CD34^ 细胞对CD54、CD49d和CD62L表达的变化无统计学差异；造血干细胞第1和第2次采集物之间CD34^ 细胞对CD54、CD49d和CD62L的表达变化也无统计学差异；而造血干细胞采集物中CD34^ 、CD49^ 细胞较之动员前骨髓中CD34^ CD49d^ 细胞明显减少(P=0．001)。结论：化疗联合粒细胞集落刺激因子(G-CSF)的动员方法，可使骨髓中CD34^ 细胞的CD49d表达下调，并使之动员而进入外周血，移植重建后骨髓中CD34^ 细胞的CD49d表达趋于正常，其进一步的临床意义有待更多的病例积累予以阐明。     

基质细胞衍生因子-1及其受体在G-CSF诱导的造血干/祖细胞动员中的作用

目的探讨基质细胞衍生因子-1（SDF-1）及其特异性受体CXCR4在G-CSF诱导的造血干／祖细胞（HSPC）动员中的作用。方法应用酶联免疫吸附实验（ELISA）、免疫组织化学、流式细胞术等方法检测健康供者稳态及G-CSF动员过程中骨髓、外周血SDF-1／CXCR4的变化，并应用SDF-1中和性抗体阻断BALB／c小鼠SDF-1信号通路，进一步验证SDF-1／CXCR4在动员中的作用。结果G-CSF动员前骨髓和外周血的SDF-1浓度分别为（7．23±0．66）μg/L和（5．43±0．35）μg／L，动员后分别为（5．88±1．03）μg／L和（5．42±0．52）μg/L。动员后骨髓SDF-1蛋白水平下降（P＜0．05），骨髓和外周血之间的SDF-1浓度梯度消失（P＞0．05）；稳态骨髓、动员后骨髓和动员后外周血的CD34^＋ CXCR4^＋细胞在CD34^＋细胞群中的比例分别为（40．98±21．56）％、（65．80±24．68）％和（27．54±26．03）％。动员后CXCR4在骨髓CD34^＋胞上表达增加（P＜0．05），而外周血CD34^＋细胞CXCR4表达降低（P＜0．05）。SDF-1中和性抗体可降低G-CSF动员的BALB／c小鼠外周血成熟白细胞和祖细胞集落数量（P＜0．05）。结论骨髓中SDF-1水平的降低以及CXCR4在HSPC上表达的下降促进了G-CSF介导的动员的发生。     

人脐血间充质干细胞促进脐血CD34+细胞在NOD/SCID小鼠体内植入的实验研究

目的探讨人脐血间充质干细胞(MSC)联合人脐血CD34+细胞移植,能否促进CD34+细胞在NOD/SCID小鼠体内植入及加速其造血恢复.方法NOD/SCID小鼠于60Co 2.5 Gy照射后24h内由尾静脉输注胎儿脐血CD34+细胞1×105/只(低细胞量移植组)或1×106/只(高细胞量移植组),联合移植组同时输注脐血MSC 1×106/只.动态观察移植后小鼠外周血白细胞、血红蛋白和血小板恢复情况,于移植后第8周用流式细胞术检测存活小鼠骨髓中人CD45+、CD45+CD3+、CD45+CD19+和CD45+CD33+细胞的含量.结果①低细胞量移植时,联合移植组的植入率明显高于单纯移植组,分别为26.02%和16.52%(P＜0.05);高细胞量移植时,联合移植组和单纯移植组的植入率相近,分别为43.71%和39.23%(P＞0.05).②高细胞量联合移植组和单纯移植组的存活率分别为80%和70%;低细胞量联合移植组和单纯移植组的存活率分别为70%和50%.③无论高细胞量还是低细胞量组,联合移植小鼠白细胞、血红蛋白和血小板的恢复明显早于单纯移植组.④移植8周后,小鼠骨髓中人CD45+CD19+、CD45+CD33+细胞含量在低细胞量移植时,联合移植组高于单纯移植组;但在高细胞量移植时,两组之间差异无统计学意义.CD45+CD41a+细胞的含量无论在低细胞量和高细胞量移植时,联合移植组均高于单纯移植组.各组小鼠骨髓中CD45+CD3+细胞的含量均较少,且各组之间差异无统计学意义.结论①低细胞量移植时,人脐血MSC联合移植可提高人脐血CD34+细胞在小鼠体内的植入率.②人脐血MSC与人脐血CD34+细胞联合移植,加速NOD/SCID小鼠各系造血恢复,提高移植小鼠存活率.③MSC联合移植可促进人脐血CD34+细胞在NOD/SCID小鼠体内向粒系、B淋巴系和巨核系定向分化.     

Factors influencing spontaneous mobilization of CD34+ and CD133+ progenitor cells after myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells (BM-CPCs) are mobilized into adult peripheral blood (PB) during acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and may contribute to the regeneration of infarcted myocardium. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether mobilization of BM-CPCs into PB depends on cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), age of patients, infarct associated inflammatory markers, and left ventricular function after AMI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood concentrations of CD34/45(+) and CD133/45(+) BM-CPCs were measured by flow cytometry in 44 patients after AMI and in 16 subjects with atypical chest pain acting as controls. RESULTS: Mobilization of CD34/45(+) and CD133/45(+) BM-CPCs on day 1 after AMI showed significant negative correlation with age, the number of CVRFs, infarct size, creatine phosphokinase peak in bivariate as well as in multivariate analyses. We additionally found a positive correlation of CD34/45(+) and CD133/45(+) BM-CPCs mobilization on day 1 after AMI with global ejection fraction (EF) in bivariate analysis but could not confirm this in multivariate analysis. Elevated of C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte levels on day 1 after AMI were significantly associated with decreased concentrations of CD34/45(+) BM-CPCs. The concentrations of CD34/45(+) and CD133/45(+) BM-CPCs significantly increased in AMI patients, with the peak on day 7 as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The mobilization of CD34/45(+) and CD133/45(+) BM-CPCs into the PB depends on many factors, i.e. the number of CVRFs, age, infarct size and inflammatory markers of patients. Most importantly, the severity of the circulatory dysfunction and the amount of necrotic myocardial tissue are the main determinants. Moreover, this spontaneous mobilization of BM-CPCs may serve as a very important surrogate for infarct size as well as for global EF and it may determine the regenerative potency after AMI.     

CD34+ cell adhesion molecule profiles differ between patients mobilized with granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor alone and chemotherapy followed by granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor

BACKGROUND: High-dose therapy with autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell support is widely utilized but requires successful CD34+ cell mobilization and collection. Chemotherapy plus growth factors appear to mobilize more CD34+ cells than growth factors alone. Because alterations in expression of adhesion molecules are important in the trafficking of hematopoietic progenitors, the possibility was explored that the mechanism of this superior mobilization may be greater down regulation of adhesion molecules. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The expression of eight adhesion molecules (CD11a, b, and c; 15s; 49d and e; 54; and 62L) on the collected CD34+ cells from 15 patients undergoing mobilization with chemotherapy plus granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was compared with those of 14 concomitant patients receiving G-CSF alone. RESULTS: Patients receiving chemotherapy plus G-CSF mobilized more CD34+ cells and did not differ in prior chemotherapy or radiation. There were no significant differences in the percentage of CD34+ cells expressing any of the adhesion molecules examined between the two groups. The chemotherapy plus G-CSF-mobilized cells consistently showed higher expression intensity, and this showed significance or a strong trend for CD11a and c, CD15s, and CD54. Despite these higher expression levels, there were no differences in engraftment kinetics. CONCLUSIONS: CD34+ cells mobilized by chemotherapy plus growth factors appear to have higher intensities of expression of several adhesion molecules. The significance of this observation will require further study.     

人脐血CD133+细胞体外短期培养中生物学特性的变化

为了解脐血CD133+细胞的生物学特性及其在体外短期扩增培养中的变化 ,探讨其体外扩增的可行性 ,初步观察了脐血CD133+细胞的免疫表型、细胞周期、端粒酶活性以及粘附分子的表达等生物学特性及其在体外扩增中的动态变化并与CD34+细胞进行比较。结果显示 ,新鲜脐血CD133+和CD34+细胞的含量分别为 ( 1.0 5±0 73) %和 ( 1.4 0± 0 .5 6 ) % ,CD34+细胞中 79.6 2 %为CD133+CD34+细胞 ,而CD133+细胞中 97%以上为CD133+CD34+细胞。短期扩增培养结果显示 ,CD133+细胞组扩增第 10天 ,CD133+,CD133+CD34+和CD34+CD38-细胞以及第 6天的CFU mix ,HPP CFC和CD34+CD38-细胞的扩增倍数要高于CD34+细胞组 ( P <0 .0 5 ) ;扩增中 ,CD133+CD34+细胞的比例逐渐下降 ,而CD133-CD34+和CD133-CD34-细胞的比例则逐渐上升。新鲜脐血CD133+和CD34+细胞的端粒酶活性较低 ,但高于CD34-细胞。扩增 1周后 ,端粒酶活性明显上调 ,15天以后又逐渐下降 ;90 %以上脐血CD133+细胞表达CD11a ,CD4 9d和CD5 4 ,约 5 0 %表达CD6 2L。扩增早期 ,CD4 9d表达上调 ,CD11a表达无明显变化 ,而CD5 4和CD6 2L则有下调趋势 ,随着扩增时间的延长 ,各种粘附分子的表达均有不同程度的下调。在整个扩增过程中 ,大部分CD34+细胞仍然表达CD11a,CD4 9d和CD5 4     

The chemokine SDF-1 stimulates integrin-mediated arrest of CD34+ cells on vascular endothelium under shear flow

The chemokine SDF-1 plays a central role in the repopulation of the bone marrow (BM) by circulating CD34(+) progenitors, but the mechanisms of its action remain obscure. To extravasate to target tissue, a blood-borne cell must arrest firmly on vascular endothelium. Murine hematopoietic progenitors were recently shown in vivo to roll along BM microvessels that display selectins and integrins. We now show that SDF-1 is constitutively expressed by human BM endothelium. In vitro, human CD34(+) cells establish efficient rolling on P-selectin, E-selectin, and the CD44 ligand hyaluronic acid under physiological shear flow. ICAM-1 alone did not tether CD34(+) cells under flow, but, in the presence of surface-bound SDF-1, CD34(+) progenitors rolling on endothelial selectin rapidly developed firm adhesion to the endothelial surface, mediated by an interaction between ICAM-1 and its integrin ligand, which coimmobilized with SDF-1. Human CD34(+) cells accumulated efficiently on TNF-activated human umbilical cord endothelial cells in the absence of SDF-1, but they required immobilized SDF-1 to develop firm integrin-mediated adhesion and spreading. In the absence of selectins, SDF-1 also promoted VLA-4-mediated, Gi protein-dependent tethering and firm adhesion to VCAM-1 under shear flow. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that SDF-1 expressed on vascular endothelium is crucial for translating rolling adhesion of CD34(+) progenitors into firm adhesion by increasing the adhesiveness of the integrins VLA-4 and LFA-1 to their respective endothelial ligands, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1.     

Characterization of multiple CD34+ cell populations in cord blood

Unlike granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood, which show a single homogeneous population of CD34(+) cells, umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells are present as multiple populations, CD34(regular) and CD34(bright) (the latter comprising 7.0-58.2% of the total CD34(+) cells), using the ProCOUNT trade mark procedure or with anti-CD34 labeling of immunoselected cells. The CD34(regular) population contains cells with high forward scatter (CD34(regular)FSC(high)) and with low forward scatter (CD34(regular) FSC(low)). Immunomagnetically selected CD34(+) cells, sorted into CD34(regular), CD34(regular) FSC(high), CD34(regular)FSC(low), and CD34(bright) cell populations, were used in in vitro assays: only the CD34(regular)FSC(high) population transmigrated and showed growth of colony-forming unit (CFU) and long-term culture initiating cells (LTC-IC) colonies. The absolute number of CD34(+) cells in CB samples was determined by ProCOUNT trade mark and Stem Kit trade mark enumeration protocols. In liquid stored CB units, ProCOUNT trade mark and Stem Kit trade mark count differences are accounted for by the enumeration of CD34(bright) cells. Differences between ProCOUNT trade mark and Stem Kit trade mark counts using cryopreserved/thawed samples are accounted for by increased CD34(regular) FSC(low) cell numbers (2.0 +/- 1.4% in liquid stored and 27.8 +/- 14.6% in cryopreserved/thawed samples). The ProCOUNT trade mark assay includes the nonfunctional CD34(bright) and CD34(regular)FSC(low) cells as part of the CD34(+) cell count, thereby elevating the absolute number of CD34(+) cells. Using the Stem Kit trade mark assay method of gating, CD34(bright) and CD34(regular)FSC(low) cells are not counted. Our data indicate that the CD34(regular)FSC(high) cell population has functional characteristics based on the in vitro assays and a more accurate count of these cells can be achieved using the Stem Kit trade mark assay.     

CXCR-4 expression on bone marrow CD34+ cells prior to mobilization can predict mobilization adequacy in patients with hematologic malignancies

To investigate the mechanisms of mobilization and of the factors implicated in the homing of progenitors and possibly understand the reasons for unpredicted mobilization failure, we analyzed CXCR-4 (CD184) expression on bone marrow (BM) CD34+ cells prior to peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization in 24 patients affected by hematologic malignancies (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute myeloid leukemia). We wanted to determine whether the level of CXCR-4 expressed by hematopoietic stem cells could influence mobilization process and therefore could be considered a predictive factor for mobilization adequacy. These data were also compared with stromal cell function as assessed by colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) and CFU endothelial cells (CFU-En) assays and stromal layer confluence capacity exhibited by patients' BM cells. In this study, we also compared CXCR-4 expression on CD34+ cells from different sources and at different migration stages specifically bone marrow (BM), steady state peripheral blood (SSPB), fetal cord blood (FCB), cord blood (CB), and mobilized PBSC. Seven (29%) of the 24 patients undergoing mobilization failed to achieve an adequate number of CD34+ stem cells (5 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells) and showed a very high expression frequency of CXCR-4 on BM CD34(+) stem cells (mean number of positive cells, 97%) investigated before the mobilization regimen. We also found that high expression intensity per cell for CXCR-4 was associated with lower amounts of mobilized CD34+ cells whereas those patients (17 out of 24 patients, 71%) with lower expression intensity per cell of CD184 on BM CD34+ cells prior to mobilization harvested at least 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells. Setting a cut off of 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ cells harvested, patients mobilizing less had a mean value of 97% CD34+ cells expressing CXCR-4 with a relative mean channel fluorescence of 458 whereas patients mobilizing more than 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34+ progenitors showed a mean value of 59.8% CD34+/CXCR4+ cells with a relative mean channel fluorescence value of 305. Interestingly, in the poor mobilizers group, the marrow stromal microenvironment was found to be more severely damaged in comparison with that of good mobilizers. The comparative analysis of CXCR-4 expression showed no difference in percentage values between steady-state PB (87.4%) and BM (85.1%) stem cells whereas mobilized CD34+ stem cells have a lower expression frequency of CXCR-4 (71.6%) compared to that of progenitors from other sources. Fetal blood CD34+ stem cells had the lowest mean expression frequency of CD184 antigen (36.3%), while CB cells had the highest (94.8%). In conclusion, this study provides evidence that monitoring CXCR-4 CD34 double positive cells before mobilization can be regarded as a predictive factor for mobilization outcome, giving us directional cues for the choice of the best stem cell mobilization regimens.     

The number of CD34(+) cells in peripheral blood as a predictor of the CD34(+) yield in patients going to autologous stem cell transplantation

The number of CD34(+) cells in peripheral blood (PB) is a guide to the optimal timing to harvest peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). The objective was to determine the number of CD34(+) cells in PB that allows achieving a final apheresis product containing > or =1.5 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg, performing up to three aphereses. Between March 1999 and August 2003, patients with hematological and solid malignancies who underwent leukapheresis for autologous bone marrow transplantation were prospectively evaluated. Seventy-two aphereses in 48 patients were performed (mean 1.45 per patient; range 1-3). PBPC were mobilized with cyclophosphamide plus recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) (n = 40), other chemotherapy drugs plus G-CSF (n = 7), or G-CSF alone (n = 1). We found a strong correlation between the CD34(+) cells count in peripheral blood and the CD34(+) cells yielded (r = 0.903; P < 0.0001). Using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the minimum number of CD34(+) cells in PB to obtain > or =1.5 x 10(6)/kg in the first apheresis was 16.48 cells/microL (sensitivity 100%; specificity 95%). The best cut-off point necessary to obtain the same target in the final harvest was 15.48 cells/microL, performing up to three aphereses (sensitivity 89%; specificity 100%). In our experience, > or =15 CD34(+) cells/microL is the best predictor to begin the apheresis procedure. Based on this threshold level, it is possible to achieve at least 1.5 x 10(6)/kg CD34(+) cells in the graft with < or =3 collections.     

Efficiency of transgenic T cell generation from gene-marked cultured human CD34+ cord blood cells is determined by their maturity and the cytokines present in the culture medium

Success of gene therapy for diseases affecting the T cell lineage depends on the thymic repopulation by genetically engineered hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). Although it has been shown that retrovirally transduced HPC can repopulate the thymus, little information is available on the effect of the culture protocol. Moreover, for expansion of the number of HPC, cytokine supplemented culture is needed. Here, we transduced purified human umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells in cultures supplemented with various combinations of the cytokines thrombopoietin (TPO), stem cell factor (SCF), flt3/flk-2 ligand (FL), interleukin-3 (IL-3) and IL-6, and investigated thymus-repopulating ability of gene-marked HPC in vitro. Irrespective of the cytokine cocktail used, transduced CD34+CD38- CB cells, expressing the marker green fluorescent protein (GFP) encoded by the MFG-GFP retrovirus, have both superior proliferative and thymus-repopulating potential compared with transduced CD34+CD38+ CB cells. Effectively transduced GFP+CD34+CD38- HPC, cultured for 3 or 17 days, more readily generated T cells than GFP- HPC from the same culture. The reverse was true in the case of CD34+CD38+ HPC cultures. Finally, our results indicate that the number of GFP+ T cell progenitors actually increased during culture of CD34+CD38- HPC, in a magnitude that is determined by the cytokine cocktail used during culture.     

Evaluation of an algorithm based on peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell and CD34+ cell concentrations to optimize peripheral blood progenitor cell collection by apheresis

BACKGROUND: Quantification of peripheral blood (PB) CD34+ cells is commonly used to plan peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection but is time-consuming. Sysmex has developed a hematology analyzer that can quickly identify a population of immature hematopoietic cells (HPCs) according to cell size, cell density, and differential lysis resistance, which may indicate the presence of PBPCs in PB. This prospective study has evaluated the potential of such method to predict the PBPC mobilization. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 141 patients underwent PBPC mobilization. PB HPCs and PB CD34+ cells were simultaneously quantified with a hematology analyzer (SE2100, Sysmex) and flow cytometry, respectively. The number of blood volumes processed was then based on PB CD34+ cell concentration. RESULTS: The optimal PB HPC level able to predict a minimal level of 10 x 10(6) PB CD34+ cells per L was 5 x 10(6) per L with positive and negative predictive values of 0.93 and 0.36 percent, respectively. For this cutoff point, sensitivity and specificity were 0.81 and 0.65, respectively. The median number of blood volumes processed according to the PB CD34+ cell count allowed us to perform only one apheresis procedure for a majority of patients. CONCLUSION: PB HPC quantification is very useful to quickly determine the initiation of PBPC apheresis especially for patients with higher concentrations. For patients exhibiting a lower HPC count (<5 x 10(6)/L), other parameters such as a CD34 test may be needed. Such a policy associated with a length of apheresis adapted to the richness in the PB CD34+ cells allows for optimizing the organization of centers with an improvement in patient comfort and economical savings.     

No discrepancy between in vivo gene marking efficiency assessed in peripheral blood populations compared with bone marrow progenitors or CD34+ cells

Reports of 1- to 2-log higher gene transfer levels in purified CD34+ cells or marrow CFU compared with levels in mature circulating blood cells after transplantation of retrovirally transduced primitive human hematopoietic cells have resulted in concern that transduced progenitors do not contribute proportionally to ongoing hematopoiesis (Kohn et al., 1995; Brenner, 1996). To study the issue in a relevant large animal, we analyzed samples of mature blood cells, marrow CD34-enriched cells and marrow CD34-depleted cells, and marrow CFU from a cohort of 11 rhesus transplanted with retrovirally transduced cells and followed for up to 5.5 years. They were transplanted with CD34-enriched bone marrow (BM) or G-CSF/SCF-mobilized peripheral blood (PB) cells transduced with vectors containing either neo, human glucocerebrosidase, or murine adenosine deaminase genes. There were no significant differences between the levels of vector sequences found in BM CD34+ cells, BM CD34- cells, PB granulocytes, or PB mononuclear cells (MNCs) in any animal. In four animals transplanted with SCF/G-CSF-primed BM cells and analyzed 3-6 months posttransplantation, the percentage of CFU containing the neo vector appeared to be 1 log higher than the representation of marked cells in the PB of these animals, but this discrepancy did not persist at time points greater than 6 months posttransplantation. The level of CFU marking was no higher than PB granulocyte or MNC marking at any time points in the other animals. Low levels of mature gene-modified cells probably reflect poor transduction of repopulating stem cells, not a block in differentiation or specific immune rejection of mature cells. This study represents the longest follow-up of primates transplanted with transduced hematopoietic cells, and it is encouraging that the levels of vector-containing cells appear stable for up to 5 years.     

Establishment of mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines that promote ex vivo expansion of human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors

The development of culture systems that facilitate ex vivo maintenance and expansion of transplantable hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) is vital to stem cell transplantation. The use of a monolayer of stromal cells on which to grow HPC in direct contact allows high efficiency ex vivo expansion of HPC. Here, we report an establishment of three murine embryonic fibroblast stromal cell lines from adherent cells of day-12 mouse embryos. Among them, HYMEQ-5 was most efficient in supporting long-term maintenance of human umbilical cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells. Human CB CD34(+) cells cultured on HYMEQ-5 in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF), thrombopoietin, and flk-ligand (FL) showed high expansion of CD34(+)CD38(-) cells and highly proliferative potential-colony forming cells (HPP-CFC). Direct cell-to-cell contact between CD34(+) cells and HYMEQ-5 was important for this expansion. RT-PCR analysis showed that HYMEQ-5 produced FL, SCF, interleukin-6, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). Expanded CB CD34(+) cells efficiently reconstituted hematopoiesis in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient disease (NOD/SCID) mice. These findings suggest that HYMEQ-5 provides a milieu that supports long-term human hematopoiesis as well as ex vivo expansion of human CB CD34(+) HPC. This cell line may facilitate elucidation of the mechanism of cellular interactions between HPC and stromal cells.     

Maternal and neonatal factors associated with the high yield of mononuclear low-density/CD34+ cells from placental/umbilical cord blood

Placental/umbilical cord blood (CB) contains nucleated cells and hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (CD34(+) cells). However it is difficult to predict the number of nucleated/CD34(+) cells in each CB before cell processing. Despite many previous studies from institutes affiliated with CB banks in metropolitan areas, little information is available regarding the characteristics of CB units from other medical facilities. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the maternal/neonatal factors on the yield of cells in CB units. A total of 176 CB units were obtained from single-birth and normal vaginal deliveries. Mononuclear low-density (LD) cells were separated using Ficoll-Paque within 24 hrs after CB collection and then processed for the purification of CD34(+) cells. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the correlations between the yield of cells and maternal/neonatal factors including maternal age, gravid status, duration of labor, gestational age, neonatal height and weight, cord length, and meconium in the amniotic fluid. The total LD cells per CB unit had a weak positive correlation with the maternal age of primigravidae. The total LD cells per CB unit from the primigravidae aged > or = 25 were significantly higher than those from the primigravidae aged < or = 24. The total CD34(+) cells per CB unit from the 1-gravidae were significantly higher than those from the 2-gravidae and 3-gravidae, respectively among all donors. These results indicate that the CB units from the primigravidae aged > or = 25 are more likely to contain higher yield of LD/CD34(+) cells.     

脐血和骨髓来源的CD34^＋细胞体外扩增巨核祖细胞差异的研究

本研究探讨脐血（CB）和骨髓（BM）来源的CD34^＋细胞体外扩增巨核祖细胞的差异。采用Ficoll—Hypaque分离法分离人CB及BM单个核细胞，免疫磁珠法制备CD34^＋细胞，在含血小板生成素（TPO）、TPO＋白介素11（IL—11）或TPO＋IL11＋肝素的无血清液体培养体系中培养14天。流式细胞术检测扩增产物（CD34^＋、CD41a^＋及CD34^＋CD41a^＋细胞）免疫表型、巨核细胞凋亡率及DNA含量，并以集落形成单位测定法进行粒巨-噬细胞集落形成单位（CFU—GM）、红系爆式集落形成单位（BFU—E）及巨核细胞集落形成单位（CFU—Mk）计数。结果表明：14天培养中，CB来源细胞在总细胞数、CD41a^＋及CD34^＋CD41a^＋细胞扩增倍数上均高于BM（P均〈0．05）。0天CB及BM来源CD34^＋细胞在CFU—GM、BFU—E及总的CFU—Mk的形成能力上无显著性差异（P均〉0．05），但CB来源CD34^＋细胞形成的CFU—Mk以大集落为主，其数量高于BM（P〈0．05）；在培养7、10和14天，CB及BM来源细胞CFU—GM扩增倍数无显著性差异（P均〉0．05），但CB来源细胞的BFU—E及总的CFU—Mk扩增倍数均高于BM（P均〈0．05）。14天培养中CB和BM来源巨核细胞的凋亡率无显著性差异（P均〉0．05）。DNA含量检测发现，14天培养中CB来源巨核细胞始终以2N细胞为主（比例〉90％），而BM来源巨核细胞随着培养时间延长，4N、8N及以上倍体巨核细胞比例逐渐增加。结论：CB来源CD34^＋细胞体外扩增巨核祖细胞能力高于BM，它可能是巨核祖细胞体外扩增较好的来源。