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Dissection of the cord blood stromal component reveals predictive parameters for culture outcome.

Authors: Mario M. Barilani, Cristiana C. Lavazza, Mariele M. Viganò, Tiziana T. Montemurro, Valentina V. Boldrin, Valentina V. Parazzi, Elisa E. Montelatici, Mariacristina M. Crosti, Monica M. Moro, Rosaria R. Giordano, Lorenza L. Lazzari
Published: 12/24/2014, Stem cells and development

Abstract

In regenerative medicine, human cord blood-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (CBMSCs) stand out for their biological peculiarities demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Here, we present our 9-year experience for the consistent isolation of CBMSCs. Although nearly one CB unit out of two retains the potential to give rise to MSC colonies, only 46% of them can be cultured till low passages (P≥4), but one-fourth of those reaches even higher passages (P≥8). Subsequent characterization for morphological, clonal, differentiation, and proliferation properties revealed two divergent CBMSC behaviors. In particular, a cumulative population doublings cut-off (CPD=15) was identified that undoubtedly distinguishes two growth curves, and different degrees of commitment toward osteogenesis were observed. These data clearly show the existence of at least two distinct CBMSC subsets: one mainly short-living and less proliferative (SL-CBMSCs), the other long-living, with higher growth rate, and, very importantly, with significantly (P≤0.01) longer telomere (LL-CBMSCs). Moreover, significant differences in the immunoprofile before seeding were found among CB units giving rise to LL-CBMSCs or SL-CBMSCs or showing no colony formation. Finally, all the aforementioned results provided a peculiar and useful set of parameters potentially predictive for CBMSC culture outcome.

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