Cord Blood Banking Research Articles

Evaluation of factors affecting total nucleated cells in umbilical cord blood collected for the Calabria cord blood bank.

Total nucleated cell (TNC) count is the most important biological feature to consider in assessing the quality of umbilical cord blood (UCB) for haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Certain obstetric factors have been reported to increase TNC count in UCB units collected for transplantation. The aim of our study was to analyze how various maternal, neonatal and obstetric factors affected TNC count in the UCBs we collected for our cord blood bank in southern Italy. We performed a retrospective analysis of 634 medical records of UCBs collected by Calabria Cord Blood Bank (CCBB), between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016. We analyzed various maternal, neonatal and obstetric variables factors and related this factor with the characteristic of TNC. We found that the average number of TNCs was significantly greater in vaginal delivery than in caesarean delivery. We also found that TNCs were higher in the 40th week of pregnancy and when Apgar 1' scores were ≤ 9. The effect of a newborn's gender was less evident on TNC count. Knowledge of factors predictive of a higher TNC count would help cord blood banks more efficiently identify donors likely to yield high-quality UCBs for transplantation.

Allogeneic human umbilical cord Wharton\u2019s jelly stem cells increase several-fold the expansion of human cord blood CD34+ cells both in vitro and in vivo

BackgroundThe transplantation of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD34+ cells has been successfully used to treat hematological disorders but one major limitation has been the low cell numbers available. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) lying within the bone marrow in vivo behave like a scaffold on which CD34+ cells interact and proliferate. We therefore evaluated the use of allogeneic MSCs from the human UC Wharton’s jelly (hWJSCs) as stromal support for the ex vivo expansion of CD34+ cells.MethodsWe performed an in-depth evaluation of the primitiveness, migration, adhesion, maturation, mitochondrial behavior, and pathway mechanisms of this platform using conventional assays followed by the evaluation of engraftment potential of the expanded CD34+ cells in an in vivo murine model.ResultsWe demonstrate that hWJSCs and its conditioned medium (hWJSC-CM) support the production of significantly high fold changes of CD34+, CD34+CD133+, CD34+CD90+, CD34+ALDH+, CD34+CD45+, and CD34+CD49f+ cells after 7 days of interaction when compared to controls. In the presence of hWJSCs or hWJSC-CM, the CD34+ cells produced significantly more primitive CFU-GEMM colonies, HoxB4, and HoxA9 gene expression and lower percentages of CD34+CXCR4+ cells. There were also significantly higher N-cadherin+ cell numbers and increased cell migration in transwell migration assays. The CD34+ cells expanded with hWJSCs had significantly lower mitochondrial mass, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidative stress. Green Mitotracker-tagged mitochondria from CD34+ cells were observed lying within red CellTracker-tagged hWJSCs under confocal microscopy indicating mitochondrial transfer via tunneling nanotubes. CD34+ cells expanded with hWJSCs and hWJSC-CM showed significantly reduced oxidative phosphorylation (ATP6VIH and NDUFA10) and increased glycolytic (HIF-1a and HK-1) pathway-related gene expression. CD34+ cells expanded with hWJSCs for 7 days showed significant greater CD45+ cell chimerism in the bone marrow of primary and secondary irradiated mice when transplanted intravenously.ConclusionsIn this report, we confirmed that allogeneic hWJSCs provide an attractive platform for the ex vivo expansion of high fold numbers of UCB CD34+ cells while keeping them primitive. Allogeneic hWJSCs are readily available in abundance from discarded UCs, can be easily frozen in cord blood banks, thawed, and then used as a platform for UCB-HSC expansion if numbers are inadequate.

A case series on UCB seroprevalance of Human T-lymphotropic virus

Background: Human T-cell lymphotrophic Virus 1 (HTLV)-1 is a delta retrovirus endemic in the Caribbean, parts of South America, West Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In the Caribbean, 2-5% of adults are infected. Breast feeding is the most common form of transmission. HTLV-1 is an abbreviation for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, also called human T-cell leukemia type 1, a virus that has been implicated in several kinds of diseases, including HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, and as a virus cancer link for leukemia (T-cell leukemia/lymphoma). Methods and materials: The trial was conducted at Cord life Sciences Cord blood Bank from a period from 30 April2018 to 30th April, 2019.A total of 8400 umbilical cord blood donors were studied. All subjects were counseled pre-donation about the all the serology tests that would be conducted. The cord blood was transported to the cord blood bank maintaining complete cold chain and our TAT of 72 hours was maintained without any exceptions during the trial. Each sample was tested by Chemiluminescence technology three times and the results were analysed. Another fresh sample was then taken from the suspected subjects and tested via Chemiluminescence technology in the same setting as before. Thereafter results were analysed. Results: 10 umbilical cord blood donors were positive (above cut off 0. 8 samples The repeat sample which were redrawn within 72 hours of previous sample collection were tested in the same setting under similar circumstances with the same kit batch and it too tested positive for all 10 samples. Conclusion: HTLV-1 seroprevalence in adults is estimated to be at least 1–2% The main highly endemic areas are the south-western part of Japan, some parts of the Caribbean and its surroundings regions.We recommend that mothers with positive or indeterminate supplemental test results have follow-up NAT. We recommend that mothers with positive or indeterminate supplemental test results have must be followed up on a priority basis Nucleic Acid Testing or Western Blot assay.

Optimization of the criteria for cord blood unit selection for transplantation in recipients of the different age groups: current view and prospects in Ukraine

Umbilical cord blood has been widely used to treat both malignant and non-malignant hematological diseases for over 30 years. During this time, more than 40,000 successful hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantations of umbilical cord blood have been performed. However, today in Ukraine there is no public umbilical cord blood bank established for unrelated HSC transplantation to patients with oncohematological disorders (both children and adults). In this regard, the HSC units must be purchased abroad or the patients are sent to foreign clinics for high-cost treatment. The organization of a public umbilical cord blood bank in Ukraine would help in a short time to meet the needs of patients with oncohematological disorders for donor HSCs for unrelated transplantation and save significant funds for the treatment of patients abroad. According to the experience of the world's leading oncohematological centers, when it is impossible to find either a related or haploidentical donor or in all available registries – a unrelated transplant, the search continues in the registers of public cord blood banks and an umbilical cord blood unit that matches the criteria is usually found. The optimal choice of umbilical cord blood unit is crucial to maximize the likelihood of successful transplant engraftment and recipient survival after the transplantation, so the criteria for cord blood unit selection for unrelated transplantation are a bit broader than those used when matching donor-recipient pairs. The review presents the main criteria for cord blood unit selection according to the assessment of its quality, cell dose, HLA matching for unrelated transplantation to recipients of different age groups in accordance with international guidelines developed by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), USA Center for International Blood and Brain Transplantation Research (CIBMTR), in collaboration with the NMDP Council Advisory Group, as well as in accordance with the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and the Seventh Edition of the NetCord-FACT International Standards for Cord Blood Collection, Banking, and Release for Administration.

Worldwide survey on key indicators for public cord blood banking technologies: By the World Marrow Donor Association Cord Blood Working Group.

The Cord Blood Working Group of the World Marrow Donor Association created a survey for cord blood banks (CBBs) aimed to identify and understand the main technical procedures currently used by public CBBs worldwide regarding cord blood units (CBUs) available for unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These technical procedures include CBU collection, (pre‐) processing, packaging, testing, storage, and transport. The survey was an online survey created with SurveyGizmo and was completed individually by each CBB at the end of 2017. The information is valuable to transplant centers, CBBs as well as the global industry of public cord blood banking. In general, we can conclude from this survey that the majority of CBBs are up to standard in terms of CBB technologies. Areas of improvement include accreditation, increase standardization in testing, and setting of total nucleated cells thresholds for acceptance of CBU for public use. Furthermore, there is a need for a consensus in the way CBBs operate in term of reservation and release to facilitate a more straightforward access to the therapy.

The Binns Program for Cord Blood Research: A novel model of cord blood banking for academic biomedical research

Umbilical cord blood is an important graft source in the treatment of many genetic, hematologic, and immunologic disorders by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Millions of cord blood units have been collected and stored for clinical use since the inception of cord blood banking in 1989. However, the use of cord blood in biomedical research has been limited by access to viable samples. Here, we present a cost-effective, self-sustaining model for the procurement of fresh umbilical cord blood components for research purposes within hospital-affiliated academic institutions.

Identifying Barriers to Umbilical Cord Blood Banking in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Obstetricians.

Background: The expansion of umbilical cord blood (UCB) banking necessitates a greater understanding among obstetricians in order to responsibly inform parents about UCB collection and storage. Gaps in knowledge can compromise public UCB banking efforts and result in missed opportunities and public misguidance about UCB banking. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was disseminated among obstetricians in Amman, Jordan. The questionnaire aimed to evaluate obstetricians’ knowledge of and attitude toward UCB storage and applications, as well as current practice patterns. Results: Ninety-six obstetricians responded (55% response rate), most of whom were Jordanian (71%), female (83%), resident physicians (59%), and working in either private (43%) or public (42%) hospitals, with an average of 6.5 years in practice. Only 26% had personal experience in UCB collection, and 20% had received education on UCB collection. Nearly 75% said their hospitals lacked standard operating procedures, guidelines, or infectious disease screening for UCB units. Overall knowledge about UCB was moderate, and the internet was the most common information source (54%). Overall attitudes were positive, especially in desire to expand personal knowledge about UCB, integrate information into medical residency curricula, and establish a public UCB bank in Jordan. However, many believed that ethical (61%) and religious (56%) controversies surround UCB donation. Conclusion: This study identifies deficiencies in quality control and experience in UCB collection in Jordan, as well as areas of inadequate knowledge and ethical controversies among obstetricians. These issues contribute to public misinformation and limit public UCB donation programs, and requires improved medical education on this topic

Стовбурові клітини пуповинної крові: клінічне застосування алогенного матеріалу, проблеми та перспективи банківського зберігання

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), successfully used for allogeneic transplantation to treat a wide range of serious diseases. This article discusses a number of topical problems associated with the functioning of public low-temperature banks of UCB. The principles of standardization, quality control and the effective selection of the cryopreserved units at the transplant centers request are considered from the point of view of the world transplantation practice for this unique biological material. The issues related to the trends in therapy using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from the fetoplacental complex tissues and their cryopreservation are also deliberated. Special attention is paid to the issues of biomedical ethics and the prospects of public UCB bank establishing in Ukraine, its role in the development of the national HSCs unrelated transplantation. Probl Cryobiol Cryomed 2020; 30(3): 213–235

Professor Shigetaka Asano: extraordinary Japanese haematologist and bon vivant February 7, 1943 to August 12, 2020.

Profs. Satoshi Takahashi and Arinobu Tojo (IMSUT) kindly reviewed the typescript. RPG acknowledges support from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre funding scheme. Jichi Medical University, Tochigi-Ken, Japan Keiya Ozawa Tokyo Cord Blood Bank, Tokyo, Japan Hideki Kodo Haematology Research Centre, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK Robert Peter Gale You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Correspondence to Robert Peter Gale. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Reprints and Permissions Ozawa, K., Kodo, H. & Gale, R.P. Professor Shigetaka Asano: extraordinary Japanese Haematologist and Bon Vivant February 7, 1943 to August 12, 2020. Bone Marrow Transplant (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01061-4 Download citation Received: 24 August 2020 Revised: 02 September 2020 Accepted: 09 September 2020 Published: 18 September 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01061-4

Professor Shigetaka Asano: extraordinary Japanese Haematologist and Bon Vivant February 7, 1943 to August 12, 2020

Profs. Satoshi Takahashi and Arinobu Tojo (IMSUT) kindly reviewed the typescript. RPG acknowledges support from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre funding scheme. Jichi Medical University, Tochigi-Ken, Japan Keiya Ozawa Tokyo Cord Blood Bank, Tokyo, Japan Hideki Kodo Haematology Research Centre, Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College London, London, UK Robert Peter Gale You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Correspondence to Robert Peter Gale. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Reprints and Permissions Ozawa, K., Kodo, H. & Gale, R.P. Professor Shigetaka Asano: extraordinary Japanese Haematologist and Bon Vivant February 7, 1943 to August 12, 2020. Bone Marrow Transplant (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01061-4 Download citation Received: 24 August 2020 Revised: 02 September 2020 Accepted: 09 September 2020 Published: 18 September 2020 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-020-01061-4

Temporal Trends in Prenatal Exposure (1998-2018) to Emerging and Legacy Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Cord Plasma from the Beijing Cord Blood Bank, China.

Due to developmental toxicity, prenatal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in animals may result in adverse effects on the fetus. However, little information is available on PFASs presence in the human cord plasma. Here, we measured the levels of 37 emerging and legacy PFASs in 650 cord plasma samples collected every 5 years spanning 1998 to 2018 by the Beijing Cord Blood Bank and evaluated changes in PFASs concentrations using generalized additive models. We observed an increase in the concentrations of 24 PFASs (Σ24PFASs) from 1998 to 2003 followed by a decrease every 5 years from 2003 to 2018. For legacy PFASs, similar trends were observed for PFOS, whereas PFOA levels did not decline until 2013. For emerging chemicals, 6:2 Cl-PFESA showed a similar trend as PFOS, and prenatal exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA could be traced back to 1998, with a median concentration of 0.411 ng/mL in plasma. Our data showed that prenatal exposure to legacy PFASs has gradually decreased in cord plasma from the Beijing Cord Blood Bank in recent years, and the discovery of the presence of emerging chemicals in 1998 suggested that further evaluation is needed to assess possible health risks to pregnant women and fetuses.

Assess the Awareness Concerning Stem Cells and Cord Blood Banking Between Antenatal Mothers in Prathima Hospital, at Karimnagar, Telangana

Background: As the new born is delivered and the umbilical cord divided, blood can be collected from the segment of cord, still attached to the placenta are known as “umbilical cord blood” stem cell. The blood collected in the umbilical cord is said to be a rich origin of stem. The blood contains stem cells which are also known as hematopoietic cells and these cells can convert into any types of organs in the body. These stem cells collected from the umbilical cord can heal genetic diseases related to blood and immune system like cancer, blood disorders and several life –threatening diseases. Objectives: Assess the level of knowledge regarding stem cells and cord blood banking among antenatal mothers. Find out the association between the level of knowledge regarding stem cells and cord blood banking among antenatal mothers with their selected demographic variables.

Assess the Awareness Concerning Stem Cells and Cord Blood Banking Between Antenatal Mothers in Prathima Hospital, at Karimnagar, Telangana

Assess the Awareness Concerning Stem Cells and Cord Blood Banking Between Antenatal Mothers in Prathima Hospital, at Karimnagar, Telangana

Be the Match: Optimizing Capacity Allocation for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Problem definition: Treating many blood-related diseases requires transplantation of genetically compatible hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) extracted from the bone marrow (BM) of live donors or the umbilical cord blood (CB) of babies. To facilitate the search for HSCs, institutions known as BM registries collect the details of potential donors and CB banks store units of CB. This paper focuses on the problem of joint optimization of the capacity of these two institutions. Academic: With over 10 million genetic variants, limited inventory relative to this variety, and random replenishment, BM registry and CB bank compositions are random, inter-dependent, and change nondeterministically over time. Furthermore, BM and CB differ in their supply, costs, genetic matching criteria, and influenc s on medical outcomes, giving rise to important trade-offs such that neither is preferred exclusively to the other. Jointly determining the optimal capacity of both sources is therefore both technically challenging and has immediate policy implications. Methodology: We develop a simulation-based approach to estimate the temporal variation in matching probabilities before incorporating the associated regression parameters into a mathematical model closely matching the research context. Results are contrasted against a simplified mathematical model, highlighting the importance of the dynamic setup. Results: Inventories of 17.5 million registered BM donors and 335 thousand CB units are estimated as optimal for the U.S. population under reasonable assumptions. Expanding capacity to these levels would satisfy 33% of the currently unmet demand, increasing the transplantation rate to 98.7% and delivering $770 million of extra social surplus annually. Managerial Implications: Rigorous policy analyses are imperative for designing evidence-based, cost-effective policies that deliver societal benefits. To this end, we provide quantitative evidence in support of calls for further expansion of the national BM registry and CB banks in the U.S. We also propose annual recruitment targets for BM donors and CB units to maintain the two institutions at their suggested levels.

Правове регулювання відносин у біомедичній сфері в контексті євроінтеграції

Стаття присвячена аналізу проблемних питань приведення у відповідність законодавства України до європейських стандартів у контексті діяльності зі створення та використання біобанків в Україні. На підставі аналізу положень відповідних Директив ЄС і їх зіставлення із чинним законодавством України визначено ступінь імплементації норм права ЄС у національне законодавство України та виокремлено питання, які ще потребують уніфікації.
 Автор наголошує на важливості прийняття нової редакції Закону про трансплантацію, як нормативно-правового кроку для імплементації Директив в українське законодавство. Виключення ст. 3 Закону про трансплантацію зі сфери його регулювання питання трансплантації репродуктивних клітин, аутотран-сплантації та діяльності банків пуповинної крові, що входить в обсяг регулювання Директиви, не сприяє процесу адаптації українського законодавства до європейських стандартів.
 Аналізуючи правове регулювання репродуктивної медицини одного із видів діяльності управителів біо-банків в Україні, зроблено наголос на тому, що сьогодні ані в чинному законодавстві, ані в законопроєктах не сформовано дієвих правових механізмів для вирішення питання щодо забезпечення захисту ембріонів, зокрема від їхнього створення із дослідницькою чи комерційною метою, не встановлено чітких умов і порядку подальшого використання / застосування невикористаних із репродуктивною метою ембріонів і їхньої утилізації.
 Зроблено висновок про те, що українське законодавство необхідно привести у відповідність до Директив в тому, що стосується запровадження системи якості в установах, які працюють із людськими тканинами та клітинами, включаючи навчання персоналу, процедури повідомлення про серйозні негативні випадки та реакції, інформування донорів і їх обстеження перед забором тканин або клітин. Також необхідно доповнити критерії відбору донорів, доопрацювати стандарти підготовки тканин і клітин, їхньої обробки та розподілу прямої поставки окремих тканин і клітин реципієнту.

Improving Storage Policy in Korean Public Cord Blood Banks: Comparison of Quality between Long-Term and Short-Term Storage of Cord Blood

Improving Storage Policy in Korean Public Cord Blood Banks: Comparison of Quality between Long-Term and Short-Term Storage of Cord Blood

Umbilical cord blood application analysis of Guangdong Cord Blood Bank

Umbilical cord blood application analysis of Guangdong Cord Blood Bank

Changes in Knowledge about Umbilical Cord Blood Banking and Genetic Tests among Pregnant Women from Polish Urban and Rural Areas between 2010-2012 and 2017.

The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge of umbilical cord blood (UBC) banking and prenatal genetic diagnosis among pregnant women from rural and urban areas, and how this knowledge changed within a five-year period. A survey by questionnaire was conducted between 2010 and 2012, and in 2017 in public hospitals; the study population comprised 6128 women, with 2797 patients from the years 2010–2012 and 3331 from the year 2017. 41% of the studied population declared that they were living in rural areas. In the 2010–2012 period, fewer women from rural areas knew about UBC banking. In 2017 that same relative difference in knowledge persisted, but the percentage of women who now knew about this procedure rose significantly in both studied groups. Prenatal diagnosis was more familiar for urban inhabitants both in 2010 and 2017 but as with the UBC data, a trend of growing awareness was also seen in pregnant women from rural areas. Knowledge of new techniques such as UBC banking and genetic tests has grown among pregnant women during the time frame of our study, but there is still a need to emphasize the benefits of these two possibilities to pregnant women, especially among rural inhabitants.

GFc7 as a Smart Growth Nanofactor for ex vivo Expansion and Cryoprotection of Humans' Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

BackgroundNowadays, smart synthesized nanostructures have attracted wide attention in the field of stem cell nanotechnology due to their effect on different properties of stem cells.MethodsGFc7 growth nanofactor was synthesized based on nanochelating technology as an iron-containing copper chelator nanocomplex. The effect of this nanocomplex on the expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) as well as its performance as a cryoprotectant was evaluated in the present study.ResultsThe results showed that the absolute count of CD34+ and CD34+CD38− cells on days 4, 7, 10 and 13; the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme on the same days and CD34+CXCR4 population on day 10 were significantly increased when they were treated with GFc7 growth nanofactor in a fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free medium. This medium also led to delayed differentiation in HSCs. One noticeable result was that CD34+CD38− cells cultured in an FBS medium were immediately differentiated into CD34+CD38+ cells, while CD34+CD38− cells treated with GFc7 growth nanofactor in FBS medium did not show such an immediate significant differentiation. De-freezing GFc7-treated CD34+ cells, which were already frozen according to cord blood bank protocols, showed a higher percentage of cell viability and a larger number of colonies according to colony-forming cell assay as compared to control.ConclusionIt can be claimed that treating HSCs with GFc7 growth nanofactor leads to quality and quantity improvement of HSCs, both in terms of expansion in vitro and freezing and de-freezing processes.

GMP-grade CD34+ selection from HLA-homozygous licensed cord blood units and short-term expansion under European ATMP regulations.

Based on a synergistic consortium, the cord blood (CB) bank Düsseldorf was responsible for the selection of HLA-homozygous (HLA-h) donors, contacting/re-consenting the mothers, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-grade CD34+ enrichment, followed by short-term expansion of CD34+ cells and qualification of the resulting CD34+ population as advanced therapy medicinal product (ATMP)-starting material. Among 20639 licensed Düsseldorf cord blood units (CBUs), 139 potential HLA-h donors were identified with the most frequent 10 German haplotypes. 100% of the donors were contacted, and for 47·5%, consent was obtained. HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, -DQ and -DP were determined by sequencing. Thawing/washing of the CBUs was performed in the presence of Volulyte/HSA with Sepax® , CD34+ selection by automated CliniMACS® -system (Miltenyi), expansion with qualified GMP-grade cytokines and media in the GMP facility. Here, we specify minimal criteria (≥5 x 105 viable CD34+ -count, ≥80% CD34+ -purity and ≥70% viability) and confirm that n=10 CB units (max storage time 16years) could be qualified for an ATMP starting material. The mean fold change expansion of isolated CD34+ cells at Day 3/4 (d3/4) was 3·38±3·02 with a mean purity of 86·90±10·38% and a high viability of 96·07±4·72%. As of March 2019, approval was obtained by the Bezirksregierung Düsseldorf for the GMP-compliant production. The production of HLA-homozygous expanded CD34+ cells from cryopreserved CB under European ATMP regulations presented here describes the successful clinical translation and implementation of a qualified manufacturing process. This approach considers the main obstacle of rejection of transplanted cells (due to the immunological HLA barrier) by preselection of HLA-homozygous transplants.