Biotechnol Rep (Amst). 2014 Jul 16;4:50-55. doi: 10.1016/j.btre.2014.07.002. eCollection 2014 Dec.

Proliferation extent of CD34+ cells as a key parameter to maximize megakaryocytic differentiation of umbilical cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in a two-stage culture protocol.

Hatami J¹, Andrade PZ¹, Bacalhau D², Cirurgião F², Ferreira FC¹, Cabral JMS¹, da Silva CL¹.

Abstract

Co-infusion of ex-vivo generated megakaryocytic progenitors with hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) may contribute to a faster platelet recovery upon umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation. A two stage protocol containing cell expansion and megakaryocyte (Mk) differentiation was established using human UCB CD34⁺-enriched cells. The expansion stage used a pre-established protocol supported by a human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) feeder layer and the differentiation stage used TPO (100 ng/mL) and IL-3 (10 ng/mL). 18% of culture-derived Mks had higher DNA content (>4 N) and were able to produce platelet-like particles. The proliferation extent of CD34⁺ cells obtained in the expansion stage (FI-CD34⁺), rather than expansion duration, determined as a key parameter for efficient megakaryocytic differentiation. A maximum efficiency yield (EY) of 48 ± 7.7 Mks/input CD34⁺ cells was obtained for a FI-CD34⁺ of 17 ± 2.5, where a higher FI-CD34⁺ of 42 ± 13 resulted in a less efficient megakaryocytic differentiation (EY of 22 ± 6.7 and 19 ± 4.6 %CD41).