Isolation of oligodendrocyte-like cells from human umbilical cord blood.

BACKGROUND: As human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is known to be a rich source of progenitor cells, the prospect of isolating a subset of these cells that could differentiate into cells of non-hematopoietic lineages suggests a therapeutic use for patients with inherited lysosomal and peroxisomal storage diseases currently treated with UCB transplantation. METHODS: Oligodendrocyte-like cells were isolated from UCB by density-gradient centrifugation and expanded using selective media. We then characterized this population of cells using standard immunohistochemical staining methods for neural cell proteins and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect RNA sequences for myelin basic protein (MBP). We also developed a functional assay demonstrating myelination of neurons in vitro. RESULTS: Cells with oligodendrocyte-like morphology were reproducibly cultured ex vivo from fresh human UCB. Cells stained positively for multiple oligodendria cell markers (O1, MBP and CNPase) via immunohistochemical staining and flow cytometry. PCR confirmed the presence of MBP and CNPase mRNA. A further in vitro functional assay demonstrated the myelination of mature neuronal cells from the brain of a myelin-deficient murine model co-cultured with the oligodendrocyte-like cells. DISCUSSION: After human UCB transplant, donor-derived cells have been noted to migrate to the brain over time. Although is not known whether these cells solely deliver enzyme replacement or a subset engrafts and differentiates into mature neural cells, the clinical improvements noted in these patients suggest a potential role for targeted cellular therapy. Oligodendrocyte-like cells isolated ex vivo and expanded from human UCB could provide a potential cellular therapy for patients with demyelinating or dismyelinating diseases.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors in human polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes.

Human polymorphonuclear cell membranes contain alpha 2-adrenergic receptors which are measured by binding of the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist [3H]yohimbine. The alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist [3H]prazosin showed no specific binding. High and low affinity sites were detected which had Kd values of 2.38 +/- 0.4 and 139 +/- 12 nM, respectively, and which bound maximally 4.82 +/- 0.9 and 81 +/- 9 fmoles of [3H]yohimbine/mg membrane protein. The high and low affinity sites were also detected by competition studies with phentolamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine and by dissociation kinetics of bound [3H]yohimbine. [3H]Yohimbine binding was stereospecifically inhibited by (-)- and (+)-epinephrine and norepinephrine. [3H]Yohimbine binding to intact cells showed about 500 high affinity sites per cell (Kd 0.5 nM) and approximately 4000 lower affinity sites per cell (Kd 3-4 nM). Yohimbine enhanced the (-)-norepinephrine stimulation of cAMP production in intact cells.