Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Research Articles

Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells with High Efficiency from Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine. Generating iPSCs from immunologically immature newborn umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCBMCs) is of great significance. Here we report generation of human iPSCs with great efficiency from UCBMCs using a dox-inducible lentiviral system carrying four Yamanaka factors. We generated these cells by optimizing the existing iPSC induction protocol. The UCBMC-derived iPSCs (UCB-iPSCs) have characteristics that are identical to pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). This study highlights the use of UCBMCs to generate highly functional human iPSCs that could accelerate the development of cell-based regenerative therapy for patients suffering from various diseases.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells in a Double-Hit Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Neonatal Mice

BackgroundBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) presents a major threat of very preterm birth and treatment options are still limited. Stem cells from different sources have been used successfully in experimental BPD, induced by postnatal hyperoxia.ObjectivesWe investigated the effect of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) in a new double-hit mouse model of BPD.MethodsFor the double-hit, date mated mice were subjected to hypoxia and thereafter the offspring was exposed to hyperoxia. Human umbilical cord blood MNCs were given intraperitoneally by day P7. As outcome variables were defined: physical development (auxology), lung structure (histomorphometry), expression of markers for lung maturation and inflammation on mRNA and protein level. Pre- and postnatal normoxic pups and sham treated double-hit pups served as control groups.ResultsCompared to normoxic controls, sham treated double-hit animals showed impaired physical and lung development with reduced alveolarization and increased thickness of septa. Electron microscopy revealed reduced volume density of lamellar bodies. Pulmonary expression of mRNA for surfactant proteins B and C, Mtor and Crabp1 was reduced. Expression of Igf1 was increased. Treatment with umbilical cord blood MNCs normalized thickness of septa and mRNA expression of Mtor to levels of normoxic controls. Tgfb3 mRNA expression and pro-inflammatory IL-1β protein concentration were decreased.ConclusionThe results of our study demonstrate the therapeutic potential of umbilical cord blood MNCs in a new double-hit model of BPD in newborn mice. We found improved lung structure and effects on molecular level. Further studies are needed to address the role of systemic administration of MNCs in experimental BPD.

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mononuclear Cell-Conditioned Media Inhibits Hypoxic-Induced Apoptosis in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells and Cardiac Myocytes by Activation of the Survival Protein Akt

We have previously demonstrated in acute myocardial infarctions that human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HUCBCs), which contain hematopoietic, endothelial, and mesenchymal stem cells, reduce acute myocardial infarction size by ≥50% and preserve LV contractility. We hypothesize that the beneficial effects of HUCBCs are due to secretion of biologically active factors that activate in cardiac endothelial cells and myocytes the cell survival protein Akt. We determined by protein microarrays the growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted by HUCBCs into culture media during 12 h of hypoxia (1% O2). We then determined by Western blots the effects of cell-free media from hypoxic-conditioned HUCBCs (HUCM) on activation of the cell survival protein Akt in human coronary artery endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes in culture during 24 h of 1% O2. We also determined in separate experiments endothelial cell and myocyte apoptosis by caspase-3 and Annexin V. In the present experiments, HUCBCs secreted multiple growth factors, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibitors of metalloproteinase during normoxia and hypoxia. Human cord blood cells increased the concentration in culture media of angiopoietin, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin-4, insulin-like growth factor, placental growth factor, vascular endothelial cell growth factor, angiogenin, and stem cell factor by 100 to >10,000% during 12 h of 1% O2 (p<0.001). HUCM, which contained these biological factors, significantly increased Akt phosphorylation/activation in coronary artery endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes subjected to 24 h of 1% O2 by more than 60% (p<0.05) and increased the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression by 34-50% in comparison with endothelial cells and myocytes treated without HUCM in 1% O2(p<0.05). HUCM also significantly decreased caspase-3 activity and decreased hypoxic endothelial cell and cardiac myocyte apoptosis by more than 40% in comparison with cells cultured without HUCM (p<0.05). Inhibition of Akt activation in endothelial cells and myocytes by the sensitive and specific antagonist API-1 during 24 h of hypoxia nearly completely prevented the beneficial effects of HUCM on inhibiting caspase-3 activity and apoptosis. We conclude that HUCBCs secrete biologically active factors during hypoxia that activate survival proteins in endothelial cells and myocytes that significantly limit apoptosis.

Antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in a pilocarpine-induced epilepsy model.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a condition of persistent seizure that leads to brain damage and, frequently, to the establishment of chronic epilepsy. Cord blood is an important source of adult stem cells for the treatment of neurological disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HUCBC) transplanted into rats after induction of SE by the administration of lithium and pilocarpine chloride. Transplantation of HUCBC into epileptic rats protected against neuronal loss in the hippocampal subfields CA1, CA3 and in the hilus of the dentate gyrus, up to 300days after SE induction. Moreover, transplanted rats had reduced frequency and duration of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) 15, 120 and 300days after the SE. Our study shows that HUCBC provide prominent antiepileptic and neuroprotective effects in the experimental model of epilepsy and reinforces that early interventions can protect the brain against the establishment of epilepsy.

Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplantation for delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide intoxication

Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell transplantation for delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide intoxication Dianrong Gong,1 Haiyan Yu,1 Weihua Wang,2 Haixin Yang,1 Fabin Han1,21Department of Neurology, 2Centre for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Liaocheng People&#39;s Hospital, The Affiliated Liaocheng Hospital, Taishan Medical University, Shandong, People&#39;s Republic of ChinaAbstract: Stem cell transplantation is one of the potential treatments for neurological disorders. Since human umbilical cord stem cells have been shown to provide neuroprotection and promote neural regeneration, we have attempted to transplant the human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCB-MNCs) to treat patients with delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide intoxication (DEACOI). The hUCB-MNCs were isolated from fresh umbilical cord blood and were given to patients subarachnoidally. Physical examinations, mini-mental state examination scores, and computed tomography scans were used to evaluate the improvement of symptoms, signs, and pathological changes of the patient&#39;s brain before and after hUCB-MNC transplantation. A total of 12 patients with DEACOI were treated with hUCB-MNCs in this study. We found that most of the patients have shown significant improvements in movement, behavior, and cognitive function, and improved brain images in 1&ndash;4 months from the first transplantation of hUCB-MNCs. None of these patients have been observed to have any severe adverse effects. Our study suggests that the hUCB-MNC transplantation may be a safe and effective treatment for DEACOI. Further studies and clinical trials with more cases, using more systematic scoring methods, are needed to evaluate brain structural and functional improvements in patients with DEACOI after hUCB-MNC therapy.Keywords: human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells, transplantation, delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide intoxication, MMSE

Effects of intravenous transplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells combined compound Danshen dripping pills on the microenvironment and apoptosis in the myocardium of the rabbits with acute myocardial infarction

To explore the effects of compound Danshen dripping pills (CDDP) and CDDP combined with transplantation of human umbilical cord blood cells (HUMNCs) on the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, myocardial cell apoptosis and cardiac function, and also to investigate the possible mechanisms of the combined therapy in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Rabbit model of AMI successfully established by ligation of the left anterior coronary artery (LAD). Forty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 per group): a control group, injected with 0.5 mL of saline in 24 h after AMI and then gavaged with 5 mL of saline daily; a CDDP group, injected with saline 0.5 mL after AMI and then gavaged with CDDP (270 mg/d) daily; a transplantation group, injected with 0.5 mL of saline contained 3 × 10(7) HUCBMCs [labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP)] and then gavaged with 5 mL of saline daily; a combined group, injected with 0.5 mL of saline contained 3 × 10(7) HUCBMCs (labeled with GFP) and then gavaged with CDDP (270 mg/d) daily. Cardiac function index such as left ventricular fractional shorting (LVFS) and ejection fraction(LVEF) were measured by echocardiography; the pathological changes were observed by HE staining and the white blood cells in the myocardium were determined by light microscopy. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardium were detected by nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) and thiobarbituric acid colorimetric measurement respectively. The number of transplanted cells in the myocardium was examined by GFP positive cells counted with fluorescence microscopy. 1) Compared with the control group (at 1 or 4 week), LVEF and LVFS were significant improved in the CDDP group, the transplantation group and the combined groups (all P<0.05), the improvement degree of cardiac function in the combined group was the most significance. There was no significant difference between the CDDP group and the transplantation group. 2) Compared with the control group (at 1 or 4 week), the number of white blood cell, myocardial cell apoptosis ratio were decreased significantly in the CDDP group, the transplantation group and the combined groups (all P<0.05), this decrease in the combined group was the most significance, and there was no significant difference between the CDDP group and the transplantation group. 3) Compared with control (at 4 week), the SOD activity was increased significantly, and MDA content in myocardium was decreased in the CDDP group, this change in the combined group was the most significance. 4) GFP-positive cells were found to be present in the peri-myocardial infarction area in the transplantation group and the combined group at 1, 4 weeks post-transplantation. The number of the GFP positive cells in the combined group was more than that in the transplantation group (P<0.05). The intravenous transplantation of HUMNCs combined with the CDDP in the treatment of rabbits with AMI could increase the survival rate of transplanted cells and inhibit the myocardial cell apoptosis, therefore improve the heart function. The possible mechanism of the combined treatment may be involved in the inhibition of the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the myocardium following AMI.

The application of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells in the management of deep partial thickness burn

Background: Wound healing in burn is a complex process and early complete wound closure still enfaces many problems. Application of stem cells is found to be the future method of wound healing. Among the available sources of allogenic stem cells, umbilical cord blood is quite easy to be obtained, has less ethical issue, and contain multipotent stem cells, which are characterized by low immunogenicity. The study aims to evaluate the potential of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCBMNCs) treatment in the management of deep partial thickness burns. Methods: Twenty patients with deep partial thickness burns were treated with topical application of 2 x 107 hUCBMNCs and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream on the comparable wound size in the other sites. The treatments were applied for six times in every two consecutive days. Wound surface area was measured with Visitrak® on day 0, 7, and 11. Pain intensity was evaluated using Wong Baker’s faces scale on each wound dressing change. Histology examination was performed in some samples of collected skin biopsy of the newly re-epithelialized area of hUCBMNCs and SSD-treated wound at the end of treatment. HLA typing is used to evaluate the issue of safety. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the rate of wound healing. Results: Sixteen patients of hUCBMNCs-treated showed a significant wound closure in faster than SSD-treated; measured on day 7 (p = 0.041) and day 11 (p = 0.021). Number of patients with reduced pain intensity, from approximately scale 3 to 1/0 on day 7 and 11, were higher in hUCBMNCs-treated compared to SSD-treated wound. In spite of the HLA-mismatch, no allergic reaction, rejection, and infection found on hUCBMNCs-treated wound suggested the safety of this therapy. Histology examination found the formation of dermal-epidermal junction and rete ridges equal to the normal skin on hUCBMNCs-treated wounds. Conclusion: hUCBMNCs are effective and safe to promote re-epithelialization in deep partial thickness burns. (Med J Indones. 2013;22:92-9)Keywords: Deep partial thickness burn, mononuclear cells, re-epithelialization, umbilical cord blood

Tissue-specific DNA methylation profiles in newborns

BackgroundEpidemiological studies demonstrate that foetal growth restriction and low birth weight affect long-term health. Derangements in tissue-specific epigenetic programming of foetal and placental tissues are a suggested underlying mechanism of which DNA methylation is best understood. DNA methylation has been mostly investigated in DNA from white blood cells. To improve baseline understanding of tissue-specific DNA methylation, we examined variation in DNA methylation profiles of the imprinted foetal growth genes IGF2 and H19 in three different tissues from the same newborn obtained at the same time.FindingsWe obtained DNA from umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (MNC; CD34+ and CD34–, n = 6), foetal side of the placenta (n = 5) and umbilical cord Wharton jelly (n = 5). DNA methylation of the IGF2 differentially methylated region (DMR) and H19 DMR was measured using quantitative mass spectrometry. Analysis of variance testing showed no statistical difference between total mean methylation of CD34+ and CD34– MNC. Further comparisons were made with the pooled total MNC fraction. Mean IGF2 DMR methylation of Wharton jelly was 1.3 times higher (P = 0.001) than mean methylation of the pooled MNC. Placental mean methylation was 0.8 times lower (P <0.001) and Wharton jelly 0.9 times lower (P <0.001) than the pooled MNC of H19 DMR.ConclusionThe total MNC fraction is a rather homogeneous cell population for methylation studies of imprinted genes in umbilical cord blood white blood cells, but may not always reflect the methylation levels of IGF2 and H19 in other organs.

IL-27 suppresses the production of IL-22 in human CD4+ T cells by inducing the expression of SOCS1

IL-27, a member of IL-6/IL-12 cytokine family, plays pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in immune responses. It can promote inflammation by inducing Th1 differentiation and exert the inhibitory effects on Th2 and Th17 mediated immune responses. Moreover, IL-27 suppresses CD28-mediated IL-2 production from mouse naive CD4+ T cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that IL-27 inhibits the production of IL-22 and induces the expression of IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in dose-dependent manner. In addition, the suppression of IL-22 is not dependent on the production of IFN-γ and IL-10. Importantly, IL-27 promotes the expression of SOCS1, which could be inhibited by a Jak2/STAT inhibitor, AG490. Importantly, the expression of IL-22 could not be inhibited under the circumstances with the lower expression of SOCS1. Moreover, IL-27 inhibits the production of IL-22 in CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ T cells from PBMCs. These data identify that IL-27 may suppress the production of IL-22 by inducing the expression of SOCS1 in human CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, it demonstrates that IL-27 may be a therapeutic approach in the treatment of IL-22-mediated diseases.

Umbilical cord blood cells regulate endogenous neural stem cell proliferation via hedgehog signaling in hypoxic ischemic neonatal rats

Umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCBMC) transplantation may improve hypoxia-induced brain injury in neonatal rats, but the mechanism is unclear. This study examines whether UCBMC promote neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation via the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway. The rats underwent left carotid ligation followed by hypoxic stress. UCBMC were transplanted 24h after hypoxia ischemia (HI), and immunohistochemistry, immmunoblotting, and morphology analyses were performed at different time points after transplantation. Increased numbers of NSCs were observed in the subventrical zone (SVZ) of the HI+UCBMC group, but these increases were attenuated by cyclopamine treatment. There were significant increases in Shh and Gli1 protein levels after transplantation in the HI group treated with UCBMC compared to HI rats treated with phosphate-buffered solution (PBS). Significantly more Gli1+DAPI+ cells were observed in the SVZ of the HI+UCBMC group compared to the HI+PBS and N+UCBMC groups, but few Gli1+DAPI+ cells were found in the SVZ of the HI+cyclopamine+UCBMC group. The HI+UCBMC group had significantly less neuronal loss in the cortex and CA1 sector of the hippocampus compared to the HI+PBS group, but more neuron loss was observed in the HI+cyclopamine+UCBMC group compared to HI+UCBMC. These results indicate that UCBMC may promote NSC proliferation and alleviate brain injury in HI neonatal rats via Shh signaling.

Some viral microRNAs were up‐regulated in megakaryocytes incubated with immune thrombocytopenia plasma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in hematopoiesis, such as megakaryocytopoiesis. Although immature megakaryocytes in bone marrow are one of the most typical characteristics of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) which is often preceded by viral infection, there has been so far no report on the relationship between viral miRNAs, maturity of megakaryocytes, and ITP. This study aims to investigate whether viral miRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of ITP, for example, by modulating the production of megakaryocytes. Plasma samples from adult patients with acute ITP or healthy volunteers were added to the culture system wherein umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells were proliferating into megakaryocytes. Flow cytometry and electron microscope were used to identify the differences between the two groups of megakaryocytes. Microarray analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to quantify the expression levels of viral miRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis of the microarray results was performed. The yield and maturity of megakaryocytes were significantly repressed in the presence of ITP plasma compared with the control: (11.89 ± 1.62)% vs. (33.61 ± 3.24)% (P < 0.001). The expression levels of 14 viral miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in the ITP group, five of which were further verified using qRT-PCR (P < 0.05). Bioinformatics analysis to the 14 up-regulated viral miRNAs indicated that most of the predicted target genes of viral miRNAs were related to cell development, metabolic process, and biosynthesis, which might be related to mechanism of maturation defect of megakaryocytes. Expression levels of certain viral miRNAs can be up-regulated by the treatment with plasma from ITP patients, indicating viral mRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of ITP, possibly by regulating megakaryocytopoiesis.

Analysis of the Efficiency of Gene-Cell Therapy in Transgenic Mice with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Phenotype

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive death of cerebral and spinal motorneurons. Using behavioral tests we studied the efficiency of gene-cell therapy in SOD1 G93A transgenic mice receiving xenotransplantation of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells genetically modified with adenoviral vectors encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and reporter green fluorescent protein (EGFP) genes. The cells were transplanted to mice on week 27 of life (preclinical stage of the disease). Behavioral tests (open field, grip strength test) showed that transplantation of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells expressing VEGF significantly improved the parameters of motor and explorative activity, grip strength, and animal survival. Thus, gene-cell therapy based on genetically modified mononuclear cells expressing VEGF can be efficient for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Late Outgrowth Endothelial Cells Resemble Mature Endothelial Cells and Are Not Derived from Bone Marrow

A decade of research has sought to identify circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in order to harness their potential for cardiovascular regeneration. Endothelial outgrowth cells (EOC) most closely fulfil the criteria for an EPC, but their origin remains obscure. Our aim was to identify the source and precursor of EOC and to assess their regenerative potential compared to mature endothelial cells. EOC are readily isolated from umbilical cord blood (6/6 donors) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4/6 donors) but not from bone marrow (0/6) or peripheral blood following mobilization with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (0/6 donors). Enrichment and depletion of blood mononuclear cells demonstrated that EOC are confined to the CD34(+)CD133(-)CD146(+) cell fraction. EOC derived from blood mononuclear cells are indistinguishable from mature human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by morphology, surface antigen expression, immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, proliferation, and functional assessments. In a subcutaneous sponge model of angiogenesis, both EOC and HUVEC contribute to de novo blood vessel formation giving rise to a similar number of vessels (7.0 ± 2.7 vs. 6.6 ± 3.7 vessels, respectively, n = 9). Bone marrow-derived outgrowth cells isolated under the same conditions expressed mesenchymal markers rather than endothelial cell markers and did not contribute to blood vessels in vivo. In this article, we confirm that EOC arise from CD34(+)CD133(-)CD146(+) mononuclear cells and are similar, if not identical, to mature endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that EOC do not arise from bone marrow and challenge the concept of a bone marrow-derived circulating precursor for endothelial cells.

Viability of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cell subsets until 96 hours after collection

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a good source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation and cell therapy. In 2006, the Brazilian Public Network of Cord Blood Banks was founded; however, because our country is large, logistic problems could hamper the collection of numerous samples. Our aim was to evaluate the viability of several UCB cell subsets until 96 hours after collection, to examine whether this delay would be acceptable for processing and freezing the samples. Two experiments were performed: in the first one, volume reduction of the UCB units was carried out before analysis. In the second one, analysis was carried out with no previous manipulation. Samples were stored at room temperature and one aliquot was taken daily for analysis. We examined CD34+ cell, B-cell precursor, mature B and T lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte, and mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) concentrations. Thirty-six UCB units were analyzed. CD34+ cells and mature T lymphocytes increased (viability 99%). Mature B lymphocytes and MSCs decreased, maintaining viability. Granulocytes decreased with loss of viability. Monocytes and immature B lymphocytes remained stable. Clonogenic assays showed a decrease in colony-forming unit (CFU) number in UCB units stored for 96 hours. UCB manipulation did not influence cell viability. All cell subsets remained viable until 96 hours after collection. CD34+ cells and T lymphocytes increased, probably due to the loss of other subsets. CFU growth during the period analyzed and confirmed stem cell functionality, despite the decrease at 96 hours. Results demonstrated that UCB units could probably be processed up to 96 hours after collection.

A single administration of human umbilical cord blood T cells produces long-lasting effects in the aging hippocampus

Neurogenesis occurs throughout life but significantly decreases with age. Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HUCB MNCs) have been shown to increase the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and the subgranular zone of aging rats (Bachstetter et al., BMC Neurosci 9:22, 2008), but it is unclear which fraction or combination of the HUCB MNCs are responsible for neurogenesis. To address this issue, we examined the ability of HUCB MNCs, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+, CD14+, and CD133+ subpopulations to increase proliferation of NSCs both in vitro and in vivo. NSCs were first grown in conditioned media generated from HUCB cultures, and survival and proliferation of NSC were determined with the fluorescein diacetate/propidium iodide and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation assays, respectively. In a second study, we injected HUCB cells intravenously in young and aged Fisher 344 rats and examined proliferation in the DG at 1 week (study 2.1) and 2 weeks (study 2.2) postinjection. The effects of the HUCB MNC fractions on dendritic spine density and microglial activation were also assessed. HUCB T cells (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells) induced proliferation of NSCs (p < 0.001) and increased cell survival. In vivo, HUCB-derived CD4+ cells increased NSC proliferation at both 1 and 2 weeks while also enhancing the density of dendritic spines at 1 week and decreasing inflammation at 2 weeks postinjection. Collectively, these data indicate that a single injection of HUCB-derived T cells induces long-lasting effects and may therefore have tremendous potential to improve aging neurogenesis.

Umbilical Cord Blood for Non-Hematopoietic Clinical Applications in Neonates

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is increasingly used as alternative to bone marrow or mobilized peripheral blood in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. This led to the establishment of public cord blood banks providing an inventory of approximately 260000 cord blood units. Whereas the storage of autologous cord blood units in private banks is possible, its use is not advised in HSC transplantation settings. However, there are phase I/II clinical trials evaluating autologous UCB in children with traumatic brain injury, acquired hearing loss, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and cerebral palsy. To date, most of the preclinical studies applied the UCB mononuclear cell fraction. This contains a variety of different cell types: lymphocytes including regulatory T cells (Treg), monocytes, HSC, mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Each of these cell populations have been used individually in preclinical settings of neonatal diseases, like neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or hypoxia-induced lung damage. The aim of cell therapy in neonates is to provide a pro-regenerative milieu by direct cellular engraftment and differentiation into endothelial, neuronal or lung cells, by immunomodulation, preventing adverse immune reactions leading to scar formation, and/or by release of trophic factors to facilitate endogenous repair/regeneration responses. Transplantation of UCB mononuclear cells improves impairments on neonatal diseases. The underlying mechanisms, however, are still only poorly understood. Also the contribution of the different cell populations, present at different, but often extremely low frequencies within the mononuclear cell fraction, remains to be determined. MSC which exhibit immunomodulatory potential, release pro-regenerative factors, and show differentiation currently appear as most investigated cell source for treating neonatal diseases.

Comparison of effects of fentanyl, sufentanil and remifentanil on immune function of dendritic cells in human umbilical cord blood

Objective To compare the effects of fentanyl,sufentanil and remifentanil on the immune function of dendritic cells in human umbilical cord blood.Methods Human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells were obtained by density gradient centrifugation and seeded in 24-well plates with a density of 1 × 106/ml (2ml/hole).The cells were randomly divided into 7 groups (n =15 each):control group (group C),fentanyl 1.0 ng/ml group (group F1),fentanyl 5.0 ng/ml group (group F5),sufentanil 0.1 ng/ml group (group S1),sufentanil 0.5 ng/ml group (group S5),remifentanil 1.0 ng/ml group (group R1),and remifentanil 5.0 ng/ml group (group R5).The cells were incubated for 10 days in serum-free culture medium containing 50 ng/ml recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor,10 ng/ml recombinant human interleukin-4 or the corresponding concentration of fentanyl,sufentanil or remifentanil,and then 50 ng/ml recombinant human tumor necrosis factor alpha was added to the culture medium and the cells were incubated for another 4 days in the seven groups.Three holes in each group were chosen and the cell morphology was examined with inverted microscope.Six holes in each group were chosen for determination of the concentration of IL-12 in the supernatant and expression of CD80/CD86.Six holes in each group were chosen for measurement of the cell viability.Results Compared with group C,the concentration of IL-12 and cell viability were significantly decreased and the expression of CD80/CD86 was down-regulated in groups F5,S1,S5,R1 and R5 (P ＜ 0.05).The concentration of IL-12,cell viability and expression of CD80/CD86 were significantly lower in groups S1 and R1 than in group F1 (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group F5,the concentration of IL-12 was significantly decreased in group S5,and the concentration of IL-12 and cell viability were significantly decreased and the expression of CD80/CD86 was down-regulated in group R5 (P ＜ 0.05).The concentration of IL-12 and cell viability were significantly lower in group R1 than in group S1 (P ＜ 0.05).The concentration of IL-12,cell viability and expression of CD80/CD86 were significantly lower in group R5 than in group S5 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Remifentanil has stronger inhibitory effect on the immunological function of dendritic cells in human umbilical cord blood than sufentanil,and the inhibitory effect of sufentanil is stronger than that of fentanyl. Key words: Fentanyl; Sufentanil; Piperidines; Immunity, cellular; Dendritic cells

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Alter Blood and Spleen Cell Populations After Stroke

The human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) mononuclear cell (MNC) fraction is a mixed population of cells that induces functional repair in rodent models of stroke when injected intravenously (i.v.). The transplanted cells are found in the infarcted hemisphere and the spleen. The goal of this project was to determine the nature of the interaction between the HUCB MNCs cells and splenic immune cells. Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and received i.v. injection of either vehicle (MCAO only), HUCB MNCs or MNCs depleted of CD14+ monocytes, CD133+ stem cells or CD19+ B cells 48 hours post-stroke. At 72 hours post-MCAO, the animals were euthanized and the spleens and blood MNCs harvested for flow cytometry and mitogen proliferation assays. All HUCB cell preparations decreased the percentage of T cells in the spleen and monocytes in the blood (p < 0.05). MNCs depleted of CD14+ and CD19+ decreased the percentage of macrophage (p < 0.001), while CD133 depleted MNCs increased the percentage of macrophage in spleen (p < 0.001); MNC did not alter the macrophage population from the level observed after MCAO. Only HUCB MNC significantly decreased Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced T cell stimulation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the effects of HUCB MNC in the spleen are not due to a single HUCB population, but the interaction of all the subpopulations together.

Tracking the repertoire of human adult and neonatal T cells during ex vivo amplification

[Extract] In times of limited material, expansion of T cells in vitro has become a standard practice across many clinical and basic immunological procedures; such as haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the study of biopsy specimens, immunomonitoring of clinical trial patients and the study of samples from neonates and children. Classically, mitogenic lectins, such as phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P) or the phorbol esterphorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, have been used for initiating T cell expansion. However, a more physiologically relevant method of T cell stimulation mimics the interaction with antigen-presenting cells through the use of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) (Martin et al, 1986). This procedure has been improved in recent years, by fusing anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 mAb to microbead structures (Pene et al, 2003). Here, the initial signal is provided by CD3 molecule activation and the co-stimulatory signal is provided by CD28 molecule activation. In this study, we assessed whether human T-activator CD3/CD28 Dynabeads or PHA-P could amplify T cells from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) or adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) without distorting the baseline ex vivo T cell repertoire.

A non-rotational, computer-controlled suspension bioreactor for expansion of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells

The proliferation and differentiation characteristics of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells were examined in a non-rotational suspension bioreactor with a fishtail mixer. The system consisted of a glass vessel, a mixer that moved vertically, a data acquisition and control system to continuously monitor pH, temperature and dissolved O(2). The bioreactor provided superior expansion of total HSCs and not total cell number, as well as expression of stemness-related genes which followed with increasing in number of colony-forming cells during 14days of culture compared to T -lask culture. Vertical agitation thus reduces the total cell number, which may be related to increased shear stress, but has no effect on HSC function.