Human cell engraftment after busulfan or irradiation conditioning of NOD/SCID mice

Human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) xenotransplantation in NOD/SCID mice requires recipient conditioning, classically achieved by sublethal irradiation. Pretreatment with immunosuppressive and alkylating agents has been reported, but has not been rigorously tested against standard irradiation protocols. Here, we report that treatment of mice with a single dose (35 mg/kg) of Busilvex, an injectable form of busulfan, enables equivalent engraftment compared to 3.5 Gy irradiation. Mice treated with two doses of 25 mg/kg to reduce busulfan toxicity showed increased chimerism. Busulfan conditioning and irradiation resulted in comparable sensitivity of HSC detection as evaluated by limiting dilution analysis.