A rapid, simple, and reproducible method for the isolation of mesenchymal stromal cells from Wharton's jelly without enzymatic treatment

The co-infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with hematopoietic stem cells could improve the hematopoietic engraftment after cord blood transplant. Adult bone marrow is the major source of MSCs for cell therapy. However, bone marrow aspiration involves an invasive procedure and, in the case of a cord blood transplant, requires the use of a third party. The umbilical cord matrix, called Wharton's jelly (WJ), was previously shown to be a valuable source of MSCs. However, the process of cell separation is not standardized and needs to be optimized. In this study, we focused on the efficiency of the isolation procedure and expansion of cells from WJ MSCs isolated from human full-term umbilical cords. MSCs were isolated from the WJ without enzyme digestion or dissection. The procedure was based only on the plastic adhesion capacities of MSCs. Briefly, umbilical cord segments of 5-10?cm were cut longitudinally and plated with the WJ onto a plastic surface for 5 days in an appropriate culture medium. After removing the cord segment, the culture was pursued until subconfluency. The number of cells and their phenotypes, clonogenic capacities, differentiation capacities, immunomodulation, and hematopoietic supportive functions were evaluated. Using this method, we were able to isolate MSCs from all human umbilical cords analyzed (n?=?50). We obtained a mean of 1.4?×?10(8) cells at the second passage and >7?×?10(9) cells at the third. The expanded cells expressed characteristic markers and presented typical functional properties of MSCs such as differentiation capacities, immunologic properties, and hematopoietic supportive functions. In conclusion, we have established a simple, rapid, and reproducible protocol to isolate abundant MSCs from short segments of umbilical cords.     

人脐血来源MSCs的主要生物学特性的研究

目的：探讨人脐血间充质干细胞（MSCs）分离、纯化、扩增、表面标志、免疫表型及其造血生长因子（HGFs）分泌等生物学特性方法：(1) Ficoll法分离、纯化人脐血、成人骨髓和胎儿骨髓MSCs，动态观察不同来源MSCs的生长状况。(2) 流式细胞仪检测脐血和骨髓MSCs表面CD34、CD45、CD14、CD29、CD44、CD105、CD166、CD80、CD86、CD40和CD40L的表达。(3) ELISA法检测脐血和骨髓MSCs培养上清中SCF、TPO、FLT-3L和IL-6的分泌水平。结果：(1) 所有骨髓标本中均可分离纯化出MSCs，而15份脐血中仅4份分离纯化出MSCs，脐血MSCs和骨髓MSCs的细胞形态无明显差异,脐血MSCs原代培养所需要的单个核细胞（MNC）量为骨髓MSCs的3倍，且其原代培养的增殖速度较慢，但脐血MSCs传代培养的增殖速度和骨髓相似。(2) 脐血MSCs和骨髓MSCs表面标志无差异，均不表达造血细胞表面标志以及与免疫识别有关的表面抗原。(3) 脐血和骨髓MSCs分泌SCF、TPO、FLT-3L和IL-6的水平相似。结论： (1)脐血和骨髓同样可以分离、纯化MSCs，但脐血中MSCs的含量少，且大部分脐血中不含MSCs。(2)纯化的脐血MSCs扩增能力、表面标志、免疫学表型及HGFs分泌水平和骨髓MSCs相似。     

Mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly: comparative phenotype analysis between tissue and in vitro expansion

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are useful multipotent stem cells that are found in many tissues. While MSCs can usually be isolated from adults via bone marrow aspiration (BM-MSCs), MSCs derived from the discarded umbilical cord, more precisely from Wharton's jelly (WJ), offer a low-cost and pain-free collection method of MSCs that may be cryogenically stored, and are considered extremely favorable for tissue engineering purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze the harvested number of cells per centimeter of human umbilical cord (UC) and carry out the phenotype of these WJ-MSCs after explant or enzymatic methods. Fresh UCs were obtained from full-term births, and processed within 6 hours from partum to obtain the WJ-MSCs. UC sections were analyzed in confocal microscopy to analyze cells phenotype in situ. Others UC components were treated either by enzymatic method or by explant method to obtain isolated cells and to analyze cells phenotype until the end of the first passage. We have successfully generated MSCs from UC by using explant and enzymatic methods. Using microscopy confocal, we identified the expression of some MSCs markers in situ of Wharton's jelly tissue as well as in perivascular region. Our comparative study, between explant and enzymatic digestion, indicated, that WJ expressed most of MSCs markers in both conditions, but a remarkable variation of cell phenotype expression was distinguished after primary culture comparing to directly isolated cells by enzymatic digestion. We also studied the expression of CD271, which showed to be weakly expressed in situ on fresh fragment of WJ.     

Matrix cells from Wharton's jelly form neurons and glia

We have identified an easily attainable source of primitive, potentially multipotent stem cells from Wharton's jelly, the matrix of umbilical cord. Wharton's jelly cells have been propagated in culture for more than 80 population doublings. Several markers for stem cells, including c-kit (CD117), and telomerase activity are expressed in these cells. Treatment with basic fibroblast growth factor overnight and low-serum media plus butylated hydroxyanisole and dimethylsulfoxide induced Wharton's jelly cells to express a neural phenotype. Within several hours of this treatment, Wharton's jelly cells developed rounded cell bodies with multiple neurite-like extensions, similar to the morphology of neural stem cells. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a neural stem cell marker, was expressed in these cells, as shown by immunocytochemistry. Immunoblot analysis showed similar levels of NSE expression in both untreated and induced Wharton's jelly cells. After 3 days, the induced Wharton's jelly cells resembled bipolar or multipolar neurons, with processes that formed networks reminiscent of primary cultures of neurons. The neuron-like cells in these cultures stained positively for several neuronal proteins, including neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin, neurofilament M, an axonal growth-cone-associated protein, and tyrosine hydroxylase. Immunoblot analysis showed increasing levels of protein markers for mature neurons over time post induction. Markers for oligodendrocytes and astrocytes were also detected in Wharton's jelly cells. These exciting findings show that cells from the matrix of umbilical cord have properties of stem cells and may, thus, be a rich source of primitive cells. This study shows their capacity to differentiate into a neural phenotype in vitro.     

Retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer into umbilical cord blood-derived megakaryocyte and platelet progenitors.

Optimizing platelet engraftment following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is essential for minimizing transplant-related morbidity, particularly following umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT), where platelet engraftment frequently takes >60 days. One strategy for optimizing platelet engraftment following UCBT is to study or alter the genetic program of megakaryocyte/platelet (Mk/plt) progenitors. Retroviral vector gene transfer has previously proven useful for studying the biology of hematopoietic stem cells; however, procedures for transducing UCB cells of the Mk/plt lineage with retroviral vectors have not been described. We report here that Mk/plt progenitors generated from UCB progenitors can be efficiently transduced with retroviral vectors. Transduced Mk/plt cells were identified and quantitated by expression of a vector transgene encoding a truncated version of the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR). Vector-mediated NGFR expression could be readily detected in Mk/plt progenitors defined by immunophenotypic, morphologic, and functional criteria. In addition, NGFR expression persisted in mature anucleate platelets generated from the transduced Mk/plt progenitors. These methods may be useful for introducing genetic elements into Mk/plt progenitors to study various aspects of platelet development and biology and for marking ex vivo expanded Mk/plt progenitors to determine their contribution to engraftment.     

Umbilical cord blood CD34(+)cell-derived progeny produces human leukocyte antigen-G molecules with immuno-modulatory functions

Human umbilical cord blood units (UCBs) are an alternative source in allogeneic-stem-cell transplantation. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-G is a tolerogenic molecule with a possible implication in UCB immunoregulatory effect. HLA-G expression was observed in UCB myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells; in contrast, CD34(+) cells did not produce this molecule. CD34(+) cells are primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells that are present in UCB and are necessary for long-term engraftment via production of immunoregulatory molecules and a hematopoietic progeny that supports cellular recovery. The role of these cells in UCB transplantation needs further evaluation of HLA-G expression in CD34(+) cells and their hematopoietic progeny. We confirmed the absence of HLA-G expression in CD34(+) cells, whereas CD34(+)-derived progeny secreted HLA-G molecules and expressed HLA-G mRNA in in vitro cultures. Furthermore, soluble HLA (sHLA)-G molecules purified from the culture supernatants of CD34(+)-derived progeny were able to suppress lymphoproliferative response in an HLA-G dose-dependent manner. Overall these results identify CD34(+)-derived hematopoietic progeny as producers of HLA-G molecules and support a role of this antigen as an immuno-modulatory factor in UCB.     

Interleukin 3 improves the ex vivo expansion of primitive human cord blood progenitor cells and maintains the engraftment potential of scid repopulating cells.

In umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation, the number of nucleated cells per kilogram is a major predictive and critical factor of hematopoietic recovery. Thus, ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic UCB progenitors could potentially accelerate engraftment. Whereas Flt-3 ligand (FL), stem cell factor (SCF), and thrombopoietin (TPO) are considered indispensable, the role of interleukin 3 (IL-3) is still controversial: it has been reported either to support or abrogate the reconstituting ability of stem cells. By adding IL-3 we aimed to enhance the amplification of early and committed progenitor cells without impairing the long-term engraftment of stem cells. Demonstrating a positive impact of IL-3 on the proliferation of all progenitor subsets, the amplification of CD34+ UCB cells was increased 20.9-fold +/- 5.4 (mean +/- standard error) in serum-free culture with FL, SCF, TPO, and IL-3 as opposed to 9.3-fold +/- 3.2 without IL-3 after 7 days. If IL-3 was included, primitive long-term culture-initiating cells and committed colony-forming cells were expanded 16.3-fold +/- 5.5 and 18.1-fold +/- 2.4, respectively, compared to 12.6-fold +/- 5.6 and 9.1-fold +/- 2.0 without IL-3. Analysis of cultured CD34+ UCB cells in sublethally irradiated nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice confirmed that cultured cells had preserved their repopulating potential. After 6 weeks, all mice showed multilineage engraftment with their bone marrow containing an average of 45% human CD45+ cells of the unmanipulated sample, 43% of cells after culture in the presence of IL-3, and 27% of cells after culture without IL-3. In combination with early acting cytokines, IL-3 therefore improves the ex vivo expansion of UCB stem and progenitor cells without impairing their engraftment potential.     

体外诱导人脐带间充质干细胞分化为许旺细胞

背景：人脐带Wharton’s Jelly源间充质干细胞避免了伦理的限制,来源丰富,可以作为种子细胞进行组织修复。 目的：观察体外诱导脐带Wharton’s Jelly中间充质干细胞向许旺细胞分化的可行性。  方法：分离、培养脐带Wharton’s Jelly中间充质干细胞,流式细胞术鉴定细胞表面标志。利用神经细胞培养基、碱性成纤维生长因子、表皮生长因子、维甲酸、血小板源性生长因子等采用两步法将脐带间充质干细胞诱导分化为许旺细胞,倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态变化。利用免疫细胞化学染色法检测巢蛋白、S-100、纤维酸性蛋白的表达,反转录-聚合酶链反应、免疫印记技术检测许旺细胞特异性蛋白产物表达。 结果与结论：脐带细胞培养第7天形态发生变化,部分细胞变成梭形。原代细胞培养10 d左右可达80%~90%融合,细胞呈梭形。分离培养的细胞表达具有间充质干细胞表面特有标志：CD44(91.4%),CD29(91.3%),CD105(99.2%),不表达CD34(0.2%),CD45(0.9%),CD14(0.6%)。脐带Wharton’s Jelly中间充质干细胞经第一阶段诱导后,细胞由短梭形变成长梭形或纺锤形,并出现聚集现象,由形状规则、表面圆滑的球形细胞团形成。第二阶段诱导后,有长梭形细胞从球形细胞团爬出,96 h后细胞形态多为长梭形,伴有多极现象。免疫细胞化学染色结果示：长梭形多极细胞具有许旺细胞特异的纤维酸性蛋白、S100蛋白染色。结果表明脐带Wharton’s Jelly中间充质干细胞可在体外诱导分化为许旺细胞。     

Wharton's jelly-derived cells are a primitive stromal cell population

Here, the literature was reviewed to evaluate whether a population of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from Wharton's jelly cells (WJCs) is a primitive stromal population. A clear case can be made for WJCs as a stromal population since they display the characteristics of MSCs as defined by the International Society for Cellular Therapy; for example, they grow as adherent cells with mesenchymal morphology, they are self-renewing, they express cell surface markers displayed by MSCs, and they may be differentiated into bone, cartilage, adipose, muscle, and neural cells. Like other stromal cells, WJCs support the expansion of other stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells, are well-tolerated by the immune system, and they have the ability to home to tumors. In contrast to bone marrow MSCs, WJCs have greater expansion capability, faster growth in vitro, and may synthesize different cytokines. WJCs are therapeutic in several different pre-clinical animal models of human disease such as neurodegenerative disease, cancer, heart disease, etc. The preclinical work suggests that the WJCs are therapeutic via trophic rescue and immune modulation. In summary, WJCs meet the definition of MSCs. Since WJCs expand faster and to a greater extent than adult-derived MSCs, these findings suggest that WJCs are a primitive stromal cell population with therapeutic potential. Further work is needed to determine whether WJCs engraft long-term and display self-renewal and multipotency in vivo and, as such, demonstrate whether Wharton's jelly cells are a true stem cell population.     

Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation Supported by Third-Party Donor Cells: Rationale,Results, and Applications

Low incidence of graft-versus-host disease provides the major rational for pursuing umbilical cord blood (UCB) stem cell transplantation (SCT). Considerable evidence also suggests a lower rate of recurrence after UCB SCT than after transplantation from adult donors. Recent advances in understanding of the human fetal immune development provide a rational underpinning for these clinical outcomes. The fetal immune system is geared toward maintaining tolerance to foreign antigens, particularly to the maternal antigens to which it is exposed throughout gestation. To this purpose it is dominated by a unique population of peripheral T regulatory cells that actively maintain tolerance. This and other features of the UCB lymphoid system explains the low incidence of graft-versus-host disease and superior outcomes of UCB SCT with noninherited maternal antigen–matched grafts. At the same time, highly sensitized maternal microchimeric cells are frequently detected in UCB and likely contribute to superior graft-versus-leukemia effects and low rates of disease recurrence in inherited paternal antigen–matched UCB recipients. However, historically erratic and slow hematopoietic recovery after UCB SCT leads to increased early morbidity and mortality, excessive hospitalization, and increased costs. This has held up the widespread utilization of UCB SCT in adults. Here we summarize recent data on UCB SCT with an emphasis on studies of co-infusion of adult CD34 selected hematopoietic stem cells with UCB SCT. This procedure, through transient engraftment of adult hematopoietic stem cells, largely overcomes the problem of delayed engraftment. It also results in predictable engraftment of a UCB with the desired characteristics. We also briefly discuss unresolved issues and possible future applications of this technology.     

Multipotent stem cells from umbilical cord: cord is richer than blood!

The identification of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sources that are easily obtainable is of utmost importance. Several studies have shown that MSCs could be isolated from umbilical cord (UC) units. However, the presence of MSCs in umbilical cord blood (UCB) is controversial. A possible explanation for the low efficiency of MSCs from UCB is the use of different culture conditions by independent studies. Here, we compared the efficiency in obtaining MSCs from unrelated paired UCB and UC samples harvested from the same donors. Samples were processed simultaneously, under the same culture conditions. Although MSCs from blood were obtained from only 1 of the 10 samples, we were able to isolate large amounts of multipotent MSCs from all UC samples, which were able to originate different cell lineages. Since the routine procedure in UC banks has been to store the blood and discard other tissues, such as the cord and/or placenta, we believe our results are of immediate clinical value. Furthermore, the possibility of originating different cell lines from the UC of neonates born with genetic defects may provide new cellular research models for understanding human malformations and genetic disorders, as well as the possibility of testing the effects of different therapeutic drugs.     

Notch信号介导共培养脐带间充质干细胞和造血干细胞的相互作用

目的:探讨脐带间充质干细胞(UC-MSC)体外与造血干细胞共培养后Notch信号分子的改变。方法:通过胶原酶消化方法分离UC-MSC,通过流式细胞仪检测以及成脂、成骨和成软骨诱导鉴定UC-MSC具备间充质干细胞的特性。进而,将UC-MSC与脐血CD34+造血干细胞(HSC)体外培养,实时PCR方法检测MSC及CD34+细胞表面Notch配体及受体表达以及表达是否存在变化;在共培养体系中加入Notch信号阻滞剂DAPT(γ-secretase抑制剂),比较Hes-1基因活化状态的改变。结果:体外实验显示:UC-MSC在形态学、细胞表面表型和诱导分化能力上均具备间充质干细胞的特性。UC-MSC及CD34+细胞表面存在Notch信号配体及受体的表达,共培养后Jagged 1、Notch1基因表达明显增加;共培养后CD34+细胞中的Hes-1基因表达明显增加而加入DAPT后Hes-1基因表达未检出明显改变。结论:UC-MSC支持造血中,Notch信号可能发挥重要作用。     

Endomysial antibody detection using human umbilical cord tissue as substrate: reactivity of cells in Wharton's jelly

The measurement of immunoglobulin A (IgA) endomysial antibodies is now established as an important diagnostic test in gluten-sensitive disease. Monkey oesophagus is the commonly used tissue substrate, but it has been proposed that human umbilical cord tissue may be a suitable alternative for antibody detection. In this study, we report a modified method of examining endomysial antibody reactivity with cord tissue. This involves examination of antibody reactivity with cells in Wharton's jelly, and with umbilical cord blood vessel. A total of 370 patients being investigated for coeliac disease were studied and this diagnosis was established in 42. Endomysial antibodies were found in all 42 using umbilical cord tissue, and the test results were confirmed with monkey oesophagus substrate. In three of the remaining 328 non-coeliacs, a false-positive endomysial antibody test was noted and small intestine histology was normal in these patients. All positive sera were found to react with cells in Wharton's jelly, and reticular staining of blood vessels was also present. Examination for immunofluorescence in both Wharton's jelly and blood vessel components of cord tissue greatly simplified test interpretation.     

Primary cells as feeder cells for coculture expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood--a comparative study

Although umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been widely accepted as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for transplantation, its use in adults is restricted because of low absolute HSC numbers. To overcome this obstacle, expansion of HSC in coculture with feeder cells is a promising possibility. In this study, we compared the potential of three human primary cell types, namely, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and Wharton's jelly cells (WJC), for use as feeder cells in a potentially clinically applicable coculture system. In first experiments, we evaluated procedures needed to obtain feeder cells, the possibility to separate them from cells derived from CD34(+) cells after coculture, their ability to activate allogeneic T cells, and their survival in CD34(+)-adapted medium. Finally, we compared their support for UCB-derived CD34(+) expansion. MSC and WJC were superior to HUVEC in terms of ease and reliability of isolation procedures needed. None of the potential feeder cells expressed CD34 or CD45, thus providing markers for cell sorting after coculture. Other markers (CD31, CD90, CD105, CD166) were expressed differently on feeder cell types. While MSC in higher concentrations did not activate allogeneic T cells, those were stimulated by lower concentrations of MSC as shown by CD25, CD69, and CD71 expression. In contrast, HUVEC and WJC were proven to activate T cells at all ratios tested. Feeder cells survived a 7-day culture in CD34(+)-adapted medium. In cocultures of UCB CD34(+)cells with primary feeder cells, mononuclear cell expansion was 30- to 60-fold, colony-forming cell expansion 20- to 40-fold, and cobblestone area-forming cell expansion 10- to 50-fold. We conclude that after a careful further evaluation especially of their immunological properties, all three primary cell types might possibly be suitable for use in a potentially clinically applicable system for expansion from UCB CD34(+)cells, with WJC being best choice and MSC still superior to HUVEC.     

骨髓腔内途径脐血与间质干细胞共移植对造血重建的实验研究

目的：探讨骨髓腔内输注（IBM）脐血与间质干细胞（MSCs）对大鼠造血重建、骨髓MSCs恢复的影响，并研究供体MSCs植入状态以探讨MSCs的作用机制。方法：BrdU标记F344大鼠骨髓MSCs通过双侧胫骨IBM或尾静脉注射（IV）与胎鼠及新生大鼠外周血（FNPB）共移植Wistar雌鼠。监测受鼠存活状况、造血免疫重建、HSCs植入水平及骨髓MSCs恢复情况，并以免疫荧光法检测受鼠骨髓MSCs的来源。结果：(1)2个共移植组60 d存活率均为100%，单纯FNPB移植组仅为66.7%。(2)共移植组的外周血象、骨髓造血干祖细胞集落产率明显高于单纯FNPB移植组，尤以骨髓腔共移植组最佳。(3)2个共移植组的HSCs植入水平无统计学差异，而骨髓腔共移植组明显高于单纯FNPB移植组（P＜0.05）。(4)30 d时各移植组MSCs的增殖能力未达正常水平，但仍以骨髓腔共移植组的恢复情况最佳（P＜0.05）。(5)仅少部分受体可发现供、受体源性MSCs嵌合。 结论：脐血与MSCs共移植可促进受体骨髓MSCs恢复和造血重建，提高HSCs植入率；IBM途径应用安全，促进造血恢复的作用优于IV途径。     

超顺磁性氧化铁标记脐带间充质干细胞后的活体MRI示踪

背景：核磁成像以其有效成像时间长,空间、时间分辨率高,对比度好的优点,在细胞活体示踪中显现出其独有的优势。 目的：观察超顺磁性氧化铁标记人脐带间充质干细胞的适宜浓度,及标记后干细胞移植入心肌梗死实验犬体内的MRI示踪成像。 方法：无菌条件下留取健康新生儿脐带,分离培养间充质干细胞并进行细胞表面标志检测。不同质量浓度的超顺磁性氧化铁标记第3代人脐带间充质干细胞,采用开胸冠状动脉结扎法建立犬心肌梗死模型并经心电图和病理对模型进行鉴定。56 mg/L超顺磁性氧化铁标记干细胞后移植实验组,相同质量浓度超顺磁性氧化铁注射对照组,分别于移植前、移植后第7,28天行核磁显像,第14,28天进行心肌病理检测。 结果与结论：分离得到的人脐带间充质干细胞表达间充质干细胞表面标记CD29,CD44及CD105均在90%以上,不表达造血细胞系的特征CD14,CD34与CD45。超顺磁性氧化铁质量浓度在14-84 mg/L时,对细胞增殖与活性无明显影响,标记率接近100%。心电图及组织病理检测均显示心肌梗死模型制作成功。56 mg/L的超顺磁性氧化铁标记细胞并移植后,核磁可对移植细胞清晰显像;病理检测可见普鲁士蓝染色阳性的细胞,生长方向同心肌细胞一致。提示14-84 mg/L范围的超顺磁性氧化铁可有效标记人脐带间充质干细胞,且核磁可以对超顺磁性氧化铁标记的人脐带间充质干细胞进行活体示踪。     

脐血造血干/祖细胞移植SCID小鼠的实验研究

目的 :检测扩增后脐血造血干 祖细胞的体内移植能力和造血活性 ,建立脐血细胞体外扩增优化方案和体内移植的SCID小鼠模型。方法 :采用无基质接触的液体悬浮培养方法扩增脐血CD34 细胞 ,将扩增前后的细胞移植给预先经过亚致死量辐照的SCID小鼠 ,4w后通过免疫荧光标记、PCR等检测存活小鼠体内的人源细胞。结果 :连续培养一定时间后 ,FL TPO SCF IL 6组脐血细胞得到持续扩增 ,并能维持一定比例的CD34 细胞 ;SCF IL 3 IL 6 GM CSF EPO组在第 2周时集落形成数已降低 ,第 4周时集落形成的细胞、CD34 细胞已基本检测不到。移植至少 4w后 ,在存活小鼠体内检测到人CD4 5 细胞和Alu基因。结论 :因子组合FL TPO CSF IL 6可以有效扩增脐血CD34 细胞 ,而且扩增后的细胞具有较高的移植效率和造血活性     

Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Feeder Layer for the Ex Vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells: a Review

In recent years, umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been widely used as an alternative source to bone marrow (BM) for transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in a variety of hematological and non-hematological disorders. Nevertheless, the insufficient number of UCB-HSPCs for graft represents a major challenge. HSPCs ex vivo expansion prior to transplantation is a valid strategy to overcome this limit. Several attempts to optimize the expansion conditions have been reported, including the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as feeder layer. Wharton’s Jelly (WJ), the main component of umbilical cord (UC) matrix, is especially rich in MSCs, which are considered ideal candidates for feeder layer in co-culture systems. In fact, they can be easily harvested and grow robustly in culture, producing a confluent monolayer in a short time. Similarly to bone marrow-mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs), WJ-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) have been used to support hematopoiesis in vitro and in vivo. Here, we review the rationale for using MSCs, particularly WJ-MSCs, as a feeder layer for UCB-HSPCs ex vivo expansion. In addition, we report the main findings attesting the use of these MSCs as a support in hematopoiesis.