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Impact of Cryopreservation and Freeze-Thawing on Therapeutic Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells and Other Common Cellular Therapeutics. CURRENT STEM CELL REPORTS 2022; 8:72-92. [PMID: 35502223 PMCID: PMC9045030 DOI: 10.1007/s40778-022-00212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Cryopreservation and its associated freezing and thawing procedures–short “freeze-thawing”–are among the final steps in economically viable manufacturing and clinical application of diverse cellular therapeutics. Translation from preclinical proof-of-concept studies to larger clinical trials has indicated that these processes may potentially present an Achilles heel to optimal cell product safety and particularly efficacy in clinical trials and routine use. Recent Findings We review the current state of the literature on how cryopreservation of cellular therapies has evolved and how the application of this technique to different cell types is interlinked with their ability to engraft and function upon transfer in vivo, in particular for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), their progeny, and therapeutic cell products derived thereof. We also discuss pros and cons how this may differ for non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stromal/stem cell (MSC) therapeutics. We present different avenues that may be crucial for cell therapy optimization, both, for hematopoietic (e.g., effector, regulatory, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-modified T and NK cell based products) and for non-hematopoietic products, such as MSCs and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to achieve optimal viability, recovery, effective cell dose, and functionality of the cryorecovered cells. Summary Targeted research into optimizing the cryopreservation and freeze-thawing routines and the adjunct manufacturing process design may provide crucial advantages to increase both the safety and efficacy of cellular therapeutics in clinical use and to enable effective market deployment strategies to become economically viable and sustainable medicines.
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Kaushal R, Jahan S, McGregor C, Pineault N. Dimethyl sulfoxide-free cryopreservation solutions for hematopoietic stem cell grafts. Cytotherapy 2021; 24:272-281. [PMID: 34654640 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2021.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS The use of effective methods for the cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is vital to retain the maximum engraftment activity of cord blood units (CBUs). Current protocols entail the use of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as intracellular cryoprotective agent (CPA) and dextran and plasma proteins as extracellular CPAs, but DMSO is known to be cytotoxic, and its infusion in patients is associated with mild to moderate side effects. However, new, commercially available, DMSO-free cryopreservation solutions have been developed, but their capacity to protect HSCs remains poorly investigated. METHODS Herein the authors compared the capacity of four DMSO-free freezing media to cryopreserve cord blood (CB) HSCs: CryoProtectPureSTEM (CPP-STEM), CryoScarless (CSL), CryoNovo P24 (CN) and Pentaisomaltose (PIM). Clinical-grade DMSO/dextran solution was used as control. RESULTS Of the four cryopreservation solutions tested, the best post-thaw cell viability, recovery of viable CD45+ and CD34+ cells and potency were achieved with CPP-STEM, which was equal or superior to that seen with the control DMSO. CSL provided the second best post-thaw results followed by PIM, whereas CN was associated with modest viability and potency. Further work with CPP-STEM revealed that CB CD34-enriched HSCs and progenitors cryopreserved with CPP-STEM maintained high viability and growth expansion activity. In line with this, a pilot transplantation assay confirmed that CPP-STEM-protected CB grafts supported normal short- and long-term engraftment kinetics. CONCLUSIONS The authors' results suggest that new, valuable alternatives to DMSO are now available for the cryopreservation of HSCs and grafts, including CBUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Kaushal
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Suria Jahan
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada
| | | | - Nicolas Pineault
- Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Canada.
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Jahan S, Kaushal R, Pasha R, Pineault N. Current and Future Perspectives for the Cryopreservation of Cord Blood Stem Cells. Transfus Med Rev 2021; 35:95-102. [PMID: 33640254 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmrv.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is a well-established procedure for the treatment of many blood related malignancies and disorders. Before transplantation, HSC are collected and cryopreserved until use. The method of cryopreservation should preserve both the number and function of HSC and downstream progenitors responsible for long- and short-term engraftment, respectively. This is especially critical for cord blood grafts, since the cell number associated with this stem cell source is often limiting. Loss of function in cryopreserved cells occurs following cryoinjuries due to osmotic shock, dehydration, solution effects and mechanical damage from ice recrystallization during freezing and thawing. However, cryoinjuries can be reduced by 2 mitigation strategies; the use of cryoprotectants (CPAs) and use of control rate cooling. Currently, slow cooling is the most common method used for the cryopreservation of HSC graft. Moreover, dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO) and dextran are popular intracellular and extracellular CPAs used for HSC grafts, respectively. Yet, DMSO is toxic to cells and can cause significant side effects in stem cells' recipients. However, new CPAs and strategies are emerging that may soon replace DMSO. The aim of this review is to summarise key concepts in cryobiology and recent advances in the field of HSC cryobiology. Other important issues that need to be considered are also discussed such as transient warming events and thawing of HSC grafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suria Jahan
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richa Kaushal
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roya Pasha
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pineault
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Pasha R, Howell A, Turner TR, Halpenny M, Elmoazzen H, Acker JP, Pineault N. Transient warming affects potency of cryopreserved cord blood units. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:690-697. [PMID: 32591113 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) can be exposed to transient warming events (TWEs) during routine banking operations, which may affect their potency. NetCord-FACT guidelines recommend removal of these CBUs from inventory. The objective of this work was to evaluate warming kinetics of frozen CBUs in different settings to determine the optimal working environment and define the impact of different TWE scenarios on CB post-thaw quality and potency. METHODS The warming kinetics of frozen CBUs was influenced by both working surfaces and ambient working temperature, with cold plates providing better protection than vinyl or metal surfaces. Measurement of time for required operational activities revealed that CBUs are probably exposed to core temperatures greater than -150°C even when cold plates are used to reduce warming rates. RESULTS On the basis of the warming kinetics and observed operational activities, three TWE causing scenarios (control, typical, worst case) were investigated using a pool-and-split design and cell viability, recovery and potency (colony-forming unit [CFU]) assays were performed. TWEs were found to have little impact on the recovery of total nucleated cells or on the viability of CD34+ cells. In contrast, the viability and recovery of CD45+ cells in the smaller CBU compartments were reduced by TWEs. Moreover, the worst-case TWE reduced CFU recovery from CBUs, whereas the typical-scenario TWE had little effect. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that the distal segment underestimates the viability and potency of CBUs and that TWEs can affect the post-thaw viability and potency of CBUs. Although TWEs are almost inevitable during cord-blood banking operations, their effects must be diminished by reducing exposure time, using cold plates and strict operational protocols, to prevent worst-case TWEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Pasha
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anita Howell
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tracey R Turner
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mike Halpenny
- Canadian Blood Services, Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Heidi Elmoazzen
- Canadian Blood Services, Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Jason P Acker
- University of Alberta, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pineault
- University of Ottawa, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, Ottawa, Canada.
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Jahan S, Adam MK, Manesia JK, Doxtator E, Ben RN, Pineault N. Inhibition of ice recrystallization during cryopreservation of cord blood grafts improves platelet engraftment. Transfusion 2020; 60:769-778. [PMID: 32187691 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Platelet engraftment following cord blood (CB) transplantation remains a significant hurdle to this day. The uncontrolled growth of ice, a process referred to as ice recrystallization, is one of several mechanisms that lead to cell loss and decreased potency during freezing and thawing. We hypothesized that reducing cell damage induced by ice recrystallization in CB units (CBUs) would reduce losses of stem and progenitor cells and therefore improve engraftment. We previously demonstrated that the ice recrystallization inhibitor (IRI) N-(2-fluorophenyl)-D-gluconamide (IRI 2) increases the postthaw recovery of CB progenitors. Herein, we set out to ascertain whether IRI 2 can enhance platelet and bone marrow engraftment activity of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in cryopreserved CBUs using a serial transplantation model. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS CBUs were processed following standard volume/red blood cell reduction procedure and portions frozen with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) supplemented or not with IRI 2. Thawed CB samples were serially transplanted into immunodeficient mice. RESULTS Our results show that supplementation of DMSO with IRI 2 had several beneficial effects. Specifically, higher levels of human platelets were observed in the peripheral blood (p < 0.05; n = 4) upon transplant of CBUs preserved with the IRIs. In addition, human BM chimerism and the number of human CFU progenitors in the bone marrow were superior in IRI 2 recipients compared to DMSO recipients. Moreover, IRI 2 had no negative impact on the multilineage differentiation and self-renewal activities of HSCs. DISCUSSION Taken together, these results demonstrate that supplementation of a hematopoietic graft with IRI can improve the postthaw engraftment activities of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suria Jahan
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Madeleine K Adam
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Javed K Manesia
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily Doxtator
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert N Ben
- Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pineault
- Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Fournier D, Lewin A, Simard C, Trépanier P, Néron S, Ballerini L, Codinach M, Elmoazzen H, Halpenny M, Kogler G, Liedtke S, Louis I, Molluna CA, Pineault N, Prasath A, Querol S, Saccardi R, Sutherland DR, Thérien C, Urbani S. Multi-laboratory assay for harmonization of enumeration of viable CD34+ and CD45+ cells in frozen cord blood units. Cytotherapy 2020; 22:44-51. [PMID: 31883947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS In 2016, specifications for both pre-cryopreserved and post-thawed cord blood were defined in the sixth edition of NetCord Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) Standards for Cord Blood Banks. However, for several experts, harmonization regarding flow cytometry analysis performed on post-thawed samples is still a concern. A multicenter study led by Héma-Québec aimed to provide scientific data to support the cord blood accreditation bodies such as NetCord FACT in the revision of standards. METHODS Twelve cord blood units were processed for plasma and red cell reduction following standard operating procedures. Cord blood unit aliquots were shipped to eight participating centers under cryogenic conditions for analysis before and after standardization of protocol. Repeatability of stem cell count, measured pre- and post-intervention with the centers, was estimated using multilevel linear regression models with a heterogeneous compound symmetry correlation structure among repeated measures. RESULTS Excellent inter-center repeatability was reported by each participant regarding the viable CD34+ cells concentration, and a successful improvement effect of protocol standardization was also observed. However, we observed that better control over the critical parameters of the protocol did not have a significant effect on improving homogeneity in the enumeration of CD45+ cells. CONCLUSIONS The current practice in cord blood selection should now also consider relying on post-thaw CD34+ concentration, providing that all cord blood banks or outsourcing laboratories in charge of the analysis of post-thaw CB samples take into account the consensual recommendations provided in this work and adhere to a good-quality management system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antoine Lewin
- Héma-Québec, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Québec City, Canada
| | - Carl Simard
- Héma-Québec, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Québec City, Canada
| | | | - Sonia Néron
- Héma-Québec, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Québec City, Canada
| | - Lara Ballerini
- Cord Blood Bank, Cell Therapy and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Mike Halpenny
- Canadian Blood Services' Cord Blood Bank, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Gesine Kogler
- Dusseldorf Cord Blood Bank, University of Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefanie Liedtke
- Dusseldorf Cord Blood Bank, University of Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Isabelle Louis
- CHU Ste-Justine, Cell Therapy Department, Montréal, Canada
| | | | | | - Arun Prasath
- Singapore Cord Blood Bank, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Riccardo Saccardi
- Cord Blood Bank, Cell Therapy and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - D Robert Sutherland
- Messner Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Cynthia Thérien
- Center of Excellence in Cellular Therapy, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Service Sociaux de l'Est de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Serena Urbani
- Cord Blood Bank, Cell Therapy and Transfusion Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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Pasha R, Halpenny M, Pineault N. Overcoming the deceptively low viability of CD45 + cells in thawed cord blood unit segments. Vox Sang 2019; 114:876-883. [PMID: 31625187 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is no standard methodology for post-thaw sample preparation for viability analysis of umbilical cord blood units (CBU). A common challenge faced by CB bank is for their product to meet the post-thaw cell viability threshold for CD45+ cells set at 40% by NetCord-FACT. The objective of this work was to improve the post-thaw staining method to maximize CD45+ cell viability so that clinically valuable samples meet the NetCord-FACT threshold criteria for CD45+ and CD34+ cell viabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Samples of CBU buffy coats and CBU segments were thawed and taken for staining. Various parameters were evaluated on CD45+ and CD34+ cell viability as measured by 7-actinomycin D (7-AAD) staining. RESULTS The results revealed that initiating the staining at 20 min post-thaw instead of 30, shortening the red cell lysis treatment, or performing lysis on ice and removing this step all together, all improved the viability of CD45+ cells. Using CBU segments, it was shown that the most effective approach in increasing the viability of CD45+ cells was the complete omission of red cell lysis step. However, removal of the lysis step can create technical artefacts during flow cytometry acquisition that results in an underestimation of the viability of CD34+ cells. This can be avoided and CD34+ cell viability restored with additional thresholding on CD45 signal. CONCLUSION CB CD45+ cells are sensitive to red cell lysis treatment post-thaw; omission of this step provides the best viability and ultimately better reflects the quality of cells used for transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Pasha
- Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mike Halpenny
- Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pineault
- Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Dimas-González J, Nieto-Linares A, Millán-Rocha M, Salazar-Bailón JL, Lorenzo-Moreno BA, Rojo-Medina J. Thawing methods do not affect cell viability of CD45+ and CD34+ cells, but long-term cryopreservation of umbilical cord blood units generally decreases cell viability. Transfus Apher Sci 2019; 58:196-200. [PMID: 30902449 DOI: 10.1016/j.transci.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Umbilical cord blood units (UCBUs) are collected and cryopreserved in biobanks for a future transplant. Hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HSC/HPC) present in UCB can be damaged due to factors such as the cryopreservation process, the thawing process, and prolonged storage time. METHODS UCBUs (n = 27) were obtained from the Biobank of the National Center of Blood Transfusion (NCBT) from Mexico. They contained three attached segments of UCBU, including 1.0-2.3 × 106 CD34+ cells prior to cryopreservation and were stored during the period from 2003 to 2015. Each UCB segment was thawed with three different methods and CD34 cells, CD45 cells, and 7-AAD were identified by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we carried out CFU assays, and trypan blue staining. RESULTS Viable CD45+ (vCD45+) cells, vCD34+ cells, CFU, and percentage of E-Clone were not statistically significant among three different thawing methods. The number of vCD45+ and vCD34+ cells diminished in the three thawing methods compared with the same cells prior to their cryopreservation (p < 0.0001). vCD45+ and vCD34+ cells diminished in the ≥10-year cryopreservation group (p < 0.001). In addition, percentage of recovery of vCD45+ and vCD34+ cells diminished in this same group (p = 0.013 and p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION The thawing methods did not affect either cell viability (vCD45+ and vCD34+ cells) or pluripotency (CFU, percentage of E-Clone) in attached segments of UCBUs. The ≥10-year cryopreservation time in attached segments of UCBUs alters the number of vCD45+ and vCD34+ cells; however, it does not affect their pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisela Dimas-González
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
| | - Adán Nieto-Linares
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
| | - Miriam Millán-Rocha
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
| | - José Luis Salazar-Bailón
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
| | - Bardo Abraham Lorenzo-Moreno
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
| | - Julieta Rojo-Medina
- Centro Nacional de la Transfusión Sanguínea, Av. Othón de Mendizábal 195, Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico..
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Isasi R, Mastronardi C, Golder M, Allan D, Walker M, Halpenny M, Yang L, Elmoazzen H, Chargé S. Assessing opportunities and challenges for establishing a national program to distribute cord blood for research. Transfusion 2018; 58:1726-1731. [PMID: 29607499 DOI: 10.1111/trf.14602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research is needed to enhance cord blood (CB) transplantation outcomes and to develop new clinical applications. Based on quality criteria for transplantation, CB collected by public CB banks (CBBs) is often unsuitable for banking, but may still be valuable for research. Canadian researchers have described a need for a centralized program providing ethically sourced CB for research projects. To meet this need, Canadian Blood Services (CBS), in partnership with The Ottawa Hospital, launched the Cord Blood for Research Program (CBRP) in 2014. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The CBRP developed processes for donor research consent and research project approval with oversight from CBS's CBB and appropriate research ethics boards. The CBRP distributes deidentified CB products to research projects across Canada. RESULTS Since its inception, the CBRP has distributed more than 525 CB units to researchers, supporting 11 research projects. Of the mothers who donate their baby's CB, 77% have chosen to consent to its use for research if it is not bankable. The number of CB units currently available for research via the CBRP exceeds the requests from researchers. CONCLUSION The CBRP reliably distributes quality CB products that do not qualify for banking to investigators across Canada in an ethical, legal, and transparent manner. This provides an opportunity for the public to directly support research, helps meet the need expressed by Canada's research community, and maximizes the donor's gift. More research is needed to clarify the factors influencing donor and researcher participation in the CBRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Isasi
- Department of Human Genetics and Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Cherie Mastronardi
- Centre for Innovation, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mia Golder
- Centre for Innovation, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Allan
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine (Hematology), The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Walker
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Medicine (Hematology), The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mike Halpenny
- Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lin Yang
- Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heidi Elmoazzen
- Cord Blood Bank and Stem Cell Manufacturing, Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sophie Chargé
- Centre for Innovation, The Ottawa Hospital and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Michalicka M, Boisjoli G, Jahan S, Hovey O, Doxtator E, Abu-Khader A, Pasha R, Pineault N. Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Osteoblasts Promote the Expansion of Hematopoietic Progenitors Through Beta-Catenin and Notch Signaling Pathways. Stem Cells Dev 2017; 26:1735-1748. [PMID: 29050516 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2017.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coculture of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with primary stromal cells from HSC niches supports the maintenance and expansion of HSC and progenitors ex vivo. However, a major drawback is the availability of primary human samples for research and clinical applications. We investigated the use of in vitro derived osteoblasts as a new source of feeder cells and characterized the molecular pathways that mediate their growth-promoting activities. First, we compared the growth and differentiation modulating activities of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC)-derived osteoblasts (M-OST) with those of their undifferentiated precursor on umbilical cord blood (UCB) progenitors. Feeder-free cultures were also included as baseline control. Cell growth and expansion of hematopoietic progenitors were significantly enhanced by both feeder cell types. However, progenitor cell growth was considerably greater with M-OST. Coculture also promoted the maintenance of immature CD34+ progenitor subsets and modulated in a positive fashion the expression of several homing-related cell surface receptors, in a feeder-specific fashion. Serial transplantation experiments revealed that M-OST coculture supported the maintenance of long-term lympho-myeloid reconstituting HSC that provided engraftment levels that were generally superior to those from MSC cocultures. Mechanistically, we found that coculture with M-OST was associated with enhanced beta-catenin (β-Cat) activity in UCB cells and that abrogation of β-Cat/T-cell factor activity blunted the growth-promoting activity of the M-OST coculture. Conversely, Notch inhibition reduced UCB cell expansion, but to a much lesser extent. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that M-OST are excellent feeder cells for HSC and progenitors, and it identifies key molecular pathways that are responsible for the growth-enhancing activities of osteoblasts on UCB progenitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Michalicka
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gavin Boisjoli
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Suria Jahan
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada .,2 Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Owen Hovey
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada .,2 Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Canada
| | - Emily Doxtator
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ahmad Abu-Khader
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roya Pasha
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolas Pineault
- 1 Canadian Blood Services, Centre for Innovation , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada .,2 Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department, University of Ottawa , Ottawa, Canada
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