Biochemical and functional characteristics of stored (double-dose) buffy-coat platelet concentrates treated with amotosalen and a prototype UVA light-emitting diode illuminator.

BACKGROUND: Pathogen reduction of platelet concentrates (PCs) using amotosalen and broad-spectrum UVA illumination contributes to the safety of platelet transfusion by reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. We evaluated the in vitro quality of stored buffy-coat (BC) PCs treated with amotosalen and a prototype light-emitting diode (LED) illuminator. METHODS: Double-dose BC-PCs collected into PAS-III/plasma or SSP+ /plasma (55/45%) were treated with amotosalen in combination with either conventional UVA lamps (INT100 Illuminator 320-400 nm) or LED illuminators at 350 nm. Platelet quality and function were evaluated over 7 days. RESULTS: Platelet counts were conserved during storage in all groups, as was platelet swirling without appearance of macroscopic aggregates. Integrin αIIbß3 and glycoprotein (GP) VI expression remained stable, whereas GPIbα and GPV declined similarly in all groups. UV lamp- and LED-treated PCs displayed similar glucose consumption, lactate generation, and pH variation. Comparable spontaneous and residual P-selectin and phosphatidylserine exposure, activated αIIbß3 exposure, mitochondrial membrane potential, lactate dehydrogenase release, and adhesive properties under flow conditions were observed during storage. The use of SSP+ /plasma compared with PAS-III/plasma better preserved most of these parameters, especially during late storage, irrespective of the type of illuminator. CONCLUSION: Replacing the UVA lamp for photochemical treatment by LED illuminators had no impact on platelet metabolism, spontaneous activation, apoptosis or viability, or on the in vitro function of BC-PCs stored for 7 days in SSP+ or PAS-III/plasma. These findings support improved procedures for the pathogen reduction and storage of PCs, to ensure transfusion safety and retention of platelet functional properties.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-dependent enrichment of a megakaryocytic precursor with a high potential to produce proplatelets.

The mechanisms regulating megakaryopoiesis and platelet production (thrombopoiesis) are still incompletely understood. Identification of a progenitor with enhanced thrombopoietic capacity would be useful to decipher these mechanisms and to improve our capacity to produce platelets in vitro. Differentiation of peripheral blood CD34(+) cells in the presence of bone marrow-human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) enhanced the production of proplatelet-bearing megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelet-like elements. This was accompanied by enrichment in a MK precursor population exhibiting an intermediate level of CD41 positivity while maintaining its expression of CD34. Following sorting and subculture with MSCs, this CD34(+)CD41(low) population was able to efficiently generate proplatelet-bearing MKs and platelet-like particles. Similarly, StemRegenin 1 (SR1), an antagonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor known to maintain CD34 expression of progenitor cells, led to an enriched CD34(+)CD41(low) fraction and to an increased capacity to generate proplatelet-producing MKs and platelet-like elements ultrastructurally and functionally similar to circulating platelets. The effect of MSCs, like that of SR1, appeared to be mediated by an AhR-dependent mechanism because both culture conditions resulted in repression of its downstream effector CYP1B1. This newly described isolation of a precursor exhibiting strong MK potential could be exploited to study normal and abnormal thrombopoiesis and for in vitro platelet production.

Cytokinins Are Initial Targets of Light in the Control of Bud Outgrowth.

Bud outgrowth is controlled by environmental and endogenous factors. Through the use of the photosynthesis inhibitor norflurazon and of masking experiments, evidence is given here that light acts mainly as a morphogenic signal in the triggering of bud outgrowth and that initial steps in the light signaling pathway involve cytokinins (CKs). Indeed, in rose (Rosa hybrida), inhibition of bud outgrowth by darkness is suppressed solely by the application of CKs. In contrast, application of sugars has a limited effect. Exposure of plants to white light (WL) induces a rapid (after 3-6 h of WL exposure) up-regulation of CK synthesis (RhIPT3 and RhIPT5), of CK activation (RhLOG8), and of CK putative transporter RhPUP5 genes and to the repression of the CK degradation RhCKX1 gene in the node. This leads to the accumulation of CKs in the node within 6 h and in the bud at 24 h and to the triggering of bud outgrowth. Molecular analysis of genes involved in major mechanisms of bud outgrowth (strigolactone signaling [RwMAX2], metabolism and transport of auxin [RhPIN1, RhYUC1, and RhTAR1], regulation of sugar sink strength [RhVI, RhSUSY, RhSUC2, and RhSWEET10], and cell division and expansion [RhEXP and RhPCNA]) reveal that, when supplied in darkness, CKs up-regulate their expression as rapidly and as intensely as WL Additionally, up-regulation of CKs by WL promotes xylem flux toward the bud, as evidenced by Methylene Blue accumulation in the bud after CK treatment in the dark. Altogether, these results suggest that CKs are initial components of the light signaling pathway that controls the initiation of bud outgrowth.

Isolation of the stromal-vascular fraction of mouse bone marrow markedly enhances the yield of clonogenic stromal progenitors.

The low incidence of CFU-F significantly complicates the isolation of homogeneous populations of mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), a common problem being contamination with hematopoietic cells. Taking advantage of burgeoning evidence demonstrating the perivascular location of stromal cell stem/progenitors, we hypothesized that a potential reason for the low yield of mouse BMSCs is the flushing of the marrow used to remove single-cell suspensions and the consequent destruction of the marrow vasculature, which may adversely affect recovery of BMSCs physically associated with the abluminal surface of blood vessels. Herein, we describe a simple methodology based on preparation and enzymatic disaggregation of intact marrow plugs, which yields distinct populations of both stromal and endothelial cells. The recovery of CFU-F obtained by pooling the product of each digestion (1631.8 + 199) reproducibly exceeds that obtained using the standard BM flushing technique (14.32 + 1.9) by at least 2 orders of magnitude (P < .001; N = 8) with an accompanying 113.95-fold enrichment of CFU-F frequency when plated at low oxygen (5%). Purified BMSC populations devoid of hematopoietic contamination are readily obtained by FACS at P0 and from freshly prepared single-cell suspensions. Furthermore, this population demonstrates robust multilineage differentiation using standard in vivo and in vitro bioassays.

Discriminating young platelets on human leukocyte antigen-I expression highlights their extremely high reactivity potential.

Background: The platelet population is heterogeneous, with different subsets that differ on the basis of their function and reactivity. An intrinsic factor participating in this difference of reactivity could be the platelet age. The lack of relevant tools allowing a formal identification of young platelets prevents so far to draw solid conclusions regarding platelet reactivity. We recently reported that human leukocyte antigen-I (HLA-I) molecules are more expressed on human young platelets. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess platelet reactivity according to their age based on HLA-I expression level. Methods: Platelet activation was assessed by flow cytometry (FC) for different platelet subsets based on their HLA-I expression. These populations were further cell sorted and their intrinsic properties were determined by FC and electron microscopy (EM). Statistical analyses were performed with GraphPad Prism 5.02 software using two-way ANOVA followed by a Tukey post hoc test. Results: HLA-I expression level allowed the identification of 3 platelet subpopulations regarding to their age (HLA low, dim, and high). HLA-I was reliable to guide platelet cell sorting and highlighted the features of young platelets in the HLA-Ihigh population. In response to different soluble agonists, HLA-Ihigh platelets were the most reactive subset as shown by the level of P-selectin secretion and fibrinogen binding assessed by flow cytometry. Moreover, the highest capacity of HLA-Ihigh platelets to simultaneously express annexin-V and von Willebrand factor or activated αIIbß3 after coactivation with TRAP and CRP indicated that the procoagulant feature of platelets was age-related. Conclusion: The young HLA-Ihigh population is the most reactive and prone to become procoagulant. These results open up new perspectives to investigate deeply the role of young and old platelets.

Unraveling the dataset transcriptomic response of Hydrangea macrophylla stem to mechanical stimulation: De novo assembly and functional annotation.

A crucial attribute of potted ornamental plants is compactness characterized by well branched plants with rather short stems bearing numerous flowers. To gain plant compactness, producers use plant growth regulators (PGRs), in particular growth retardants during culture. However, due to their negative environmental impacts, growth retardants are progressively withdrawn from the market. As a response, eco-friendly alternative methods to chemicals need to be developed. One method consists in mimicking mechanical stimulation (MS) imposed by wind on plants which causes reduction in stem elongation, an increase in stem diameter and an increase in branching, all contributing to plant compactness. So far, few plant species were studied under MS and little is known on molecular response mechanisms to MS. This first transcriptomic data after MS in Hydrangea macrophylla will contribute unravelling how plants respond to mechanical stimuli. RNAseq data were obtained from total mRNA of stems collected 15 min before MS and 1, 3, 24 and 72 h after MS treatment. RNA from non-MS treated plants were used as control. MS treatment consisted in 12 consecutive bendings (i.e. 6 forth and 6 back) applied at 9 a.m. during 1 h and for a single day. From RNAseq data a de novo assembly of the transcriptome was produced and 78,398 transcripts functionally annotated. These transcriptomic data also contribute to a better knowledge of how outdoor crop respond to the increasing frequency of strong harmful winds under climate change.

Recurrent symmetrical bendings cause dwarfing in Hydrangea through spatial molecular regulation of xylem cell walls.

Environmental prejudices progressively lead to the ban of dwarfing molecules in agriculture, and alternatives are urgently required. Mechanical stimulation (MS) is a promising, eco-friendly, and economical technique, but some responses to mechanical stimulation vary from one plant species to another. Additionally, as more frequent and violent wind episodes are forecasted under global climate change, knowledge of plant responses to stimuli mimicking wind sways is decisive for agriculture. However, little is known about plant mechanosensitive responses after long-term, recurrent MS. Here, the effects of 3-week, recurrent, symmetrical bendings (1 or 12 per day) in Hydrangea macrophylla stems are examined. Bendings repressed internode elongation and leaf area development, whereas the diametrical growth of the basal internode is increased. Responses were dose-dependent, and no desensitization was observed during the 3 weeks of treatment. MS was almost as efficient as daminozide for plant dwarfing, and it improved stem robustness. Histological and molecular responses to MS were spatially monitored and were concordant with ongoing primary or secondary growth in the internodes. Our molecular data provide the first knowledge on the molecular paths controlled by mechanical loads in Hydrangea and revealed for the first time the involvement of XYP1 in thigmomorphogenetic responses. MS still had a transcriptional impact 48 h after the last bending session, promoting the expression of XYP1, FLA11, and CAD1 while repressing the expression of EXP3 and XTH33 homologs in accordance with xylogenesis, cell wall thickening, and lignin deposition in the xylem of basal internodes. In upper elongating internodes, repression of XYP1, CAD1, SAMS1, and CDC23 homologs is correlated with ongoing primary, even though stunted, growth. For producers, our findings highlight the potential of MS as a sustainable and economical option for controlling plant compactness in Hydrangea and show valuable reinforcement of stem strength.

Matrix stiffness controls megakaryocyte adhesion, fibronectin fibrillogenesis, and proplatelet formation through Itgß3.

Megakaryocytes (MKs) are the precursor cells of platelets, located in the bone marrow (BM). Once mature, they extend elongated projections named proplatelets through sinusoid vessels, emerging from the marrow stroma into the circulating blood. Not all signals from the microenvironment that regulate proplatelet formation are understood, particularly those from the BM biomechanics. We sought to investigate how MKs perceive and adapt to modifications of the stiffness of their environment. Although the BM is one of the softest tissue of the body, its rigidification results from excess fibronectin (FN), and other matrix protein deposition occur upon myelofibrosis. Here, we have shown that mouse MKs are able to detect the stiffness of a FN-coated substrate and adapt their morphology accordingly. Using a polydimethylsiloxane substrate with stiffness varying from physiological to pathological marrow, we found that a stiff matrix favors spreading, intracellular contractility, and FN fibrils assembly at the expense of proplatelet formation. Itgb3, but not Itgb1, is required for stiffness sensing, whereas both integrins are involved in fibrils assembly. In contrast, soft substrates promote proplatelet formation in an Itgb3-dependent manner, consistent with the ex vivo decrease in proplatelet formation and the in vivo decrease in platelet number in Itgb3-deficient mice. Our findings demonstrate the importance of environmental stiffness for MK functions with potential pathophysiological implications during pathologies that deregulate FN deposition and modulate stiffness in the marrow.

Isolation of Mouse Megakaryocyte Progenitors.

Bone marrow megakaryocytes are large polyploid cells that ensure the production of blood platelets. They arise from hematopoietic stem cells through megakaryopoiesis. The final stages of this process are complex and classically involve the bipotent Megakaryocyte-Erythrocyte Progenitors (MEP) and the unipotent Megakaryocyte Progenitors (MKp). These populations precede the formation of bona fide megakaryocytes and, as such, their isolation and characterization could allow for the robust and unbiased analysis of megakaryocyte formation. This protocol presents in detail the procedure to collect hematopoietic cells from mouse bone marrow, the enrichment of hematopoietic progenitors through magnetic depletion and finally a cell sorting strategy that yield highly purified MEP and MKp populations. First, bone marrow cells are collected from the femur, the tibia, and also the iliac crest, a bone that contains a high number of hematopoietic progenitors. The use of iliac crest bones drastically increases the total cell number obtained per mouse and thus contributes to a more ethical use of animals. A magnetic lineage depletion was optimized using 450 nm magnetic beads allowing a very efficient cell sorting by flow cytometry. Finally, the protocol presents the labeling and gating strategy for the sorting of the two highly purified megakaryocyte progenitor populations: MEP (Lin-Sca-1-c-Kit+CD16/32-CD150+CD9dim) and MKp (Lin- Sca-1-c-Kit+CD16/32-CD150+CD9bright). This technique is easy to implement and provides enough cellular material to perform i) molecular characterization for a deeper knowledge of their identity and biology, ii) in vitro differentiation assays, that will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of maturation of megakaryocytes, or iii) in vitro models of interaction with their microenvironment.

Endogenous fibroblastic progenitor cells in the adult mouse lung are highly enriched in the sca-1 positive cell fraction.

Originally identified as a marker specifying murine hematopoietic stem cells, the Sca-1 antigen has since been shown to be differentially expressed by candidate stem cells in tissues including vascular endothelium, skeletal muscle, mammary gland, and prostate of adult mice. In the adult murine lung, Sca-1 has previously been identified as a selectable marker for the isolation of candidate nonhematopoietic (CD45(-)), nonendothelial (CD31(-)) bronchioalveolar stem cells (BASC) located at the bronchioalveolar duct junction that coexpress surfactant protein C and the Clara cell specific protein. Our systematic analysis of CD45(-)CD31(-)Sca-1(+) cells in fetal, neonatal, and adult lung shows that very few of these cells are detectable prior to birth but expand exponentially postnatally coinciding with the transition from the saccular to the alveolar stage of lung development. Unlike candidate BASCs, the CD45(-)CD31(-)Sca-1(+)CD34(+) cell fraction we describe coexpresses immunophenotypic markers (Thy-1 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha) that define lung fibroblastic rather than epithelial cells. The mesenchymal "signature" of the CD45(-)CD31(-)Sca-1(+)CD34(+) cell fraction is further confirmed by transcriptional profiling, by cell culture studies demonstrating enrichment for clonogenic lipofibroblastic and nonlipofibroblastic progenitors, and by immunohistochemical localization of Sca-1 in perivascular cells of the lung parenchyma. Although the CD45(-)CD31(-)Sca-1(+)CD34(+) cell phenotype does define endogenous clonogenic progenitor cells in the adult murine lung, our data indicate that these progenitors are predominantly representative of mesenchymal cell lineages, and highlights the pressing need for the identification of alternative markers and robust functional assays for the identification and characterization of epithelial and fibroblastic stem and progenitor cell populations in the adult lung.

Noninvasive bioluminescent imaging demonstrates long-term multilineage engraftment of ex vivo-expanded CD34-selected umbilical cord blood cells.

The use of umbilical cord blood (UCB) grafts for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a promising technique that permits a degree of human leukocyte antigen mismatch between the graft and the host without the concomitant higher rate of graft-versus-host disease that would be observed between an adult marrow graft and a mismatched host. A disadvantage to the use of UCB for HSCT is that immune reconstitution may be significantly delayed because of the low stem cell dose available in the graft. Ex vivo expansion of UCB CD34 cells would provide a greater number of stem cells; however, there are persistent concerns that ex vivo-expanded CD34 cells may lose pluripotency and the ability to contribute meaningfully to long-term engraftment. To address this issue, we transduced CD34-selected UCB cells with a lentiviral construct expressing luciferase, and determined homing and engraftment patterns in vivo by noninvasive bioluminescent imaging in sublethally irradiated NOD/SCID/IL-2Rgamma(-/-) (NSG) mice. Graft contribution to multilineage commitment was also confirmed by analysis of primary and secondary transplants by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that, other than a mild delay at the onset of engraftment, there were no significant differences in lineage repopulation or in long-term or secondary engraftment between culture-expanded and unexpanded UCB CD34-selected cells. The results suggest that multipotent stem cells can be expanded ex vivo and can contribute meaningfully to long-term hematopoietic engraftment.

Developmental fate determination and marker discovery in hematopoietic stem cell biology using proteomic fingerprinting.

In hematopoiesis, co-expression of Sca-1 and c-Kit defines cells (LS(+)K) with long term reconstituting potential. In contrast, poorly characterized LS(-)K cells fail to reconstitute lethally irradiated recipients. Relative quantification mass spectrometry and transcriptional profiling were used to characterize LS(+)K and LS(-)K cells. This approach yielded data on >1200 proteins. Only 32% of protein changes correlated to mRNA modulation demonstrating post-translational protein regulation in early hematopoietic development. LS(+)K cells had lower expression of protein synthesis proteins but did express proteins associated with mature cell function. Major increases in erythroid development proteins were observed in LS(-)K cells; based on this assessment of erythroid potential we showed them to be principally erythroid progenitors, demonstrating effective use of discovery proteomics for definition of primitive cells.

Prospective isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from mouse compact bone.

Bone marrow from numerous species, including rodents and man, has been shown to contain a rare population of cells known as marrow stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Given the innate ability of these cells to give rise to multiple tissue types including bone, fat and cartilage, there is considerable interest in utilizing MSC in a broad repertoire of cell-based therapies for the treatment of human disease. In order for such therapies to be realized, a preclinical animal model in which to refine strategies utilizing MSC is required.We have described methodology allowing for the prospective isolation by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) of a highly purified population of MSC from murine compact bone (CB). These cells are multipotent and capable of extensive proliferation in vitro and thus represent an ideal source of cells with which to explore both the fundamental biology of MSC and their efficacy in a variety of cellular therapies.

Analysis of Hematopoietic Niche in the Mouse Embryo.

The development, differentiation, and maturation of hematopoietic cells are regulated by the intrinsic and extrinsic regulation. Intrinsic activity is affected by cell autonomous gene expression and extrinsic factors originate from the so-called niche surrounding the hematopoietic cells. It remains unclear why the hematopoietic sites are shifted during embryogenesis. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry enable us to study embryonic regulation of hematopoietic niche in the mouse embryo.

A unique microenvironment in the developing liver supports the expansion of megakaryocyte progenitors.

The fetal liver is the site of a major expansion of the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) pool and is also a privileged organ to study megakaryocyte progenitor differentiation. We identified in the mouse fetal liver at day 13.5 a discrete stromal cell population harboring a CD45-TER119-CD31-CD51+VCAM-1+PDGFRα- (V+P-) phenotype that lacked colony-forming unit fibroblast activity and harbored an hepatocyte progenitor signature. This previously undescribed V+P- population efficiently supported megakaryocyte production from mouse bone marrow HSC and human peripheral blood HSC-myeloid progenitors cultured in the presence of limited cytokine concentrations. Megakaryocytes obtained in V+P- cocultures were polyploid, positive for CD41/CD42c, and efficiently produced proplatelets. Megakaryocyte production appeared to be mediated by an expansion of the progenitor compartment through HSC-stromal cell contact. In conclusion, the fetal liver contains a unique cellular microenvironment that could represent a platform for the discovery of regulators of megakaryopoiesis.

Integrin-Alpha IIb Identifies Murine Lymph Node Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Responsive to RANKL.

Microenvironment and activation signals likely imprint heterogeneity in the lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) population. Particularly LECs of secondary lymphoid organs are exposed to different cell types and immune stimuli. However, our understanding of the nature of LEC activation signals and their cell source within the secondary lymphoid organ in the steady state remains incomplete. Here we show that integrin alpha 2b (ITGA2b), known to be carried by platelets, megakaryocytes and hematopoietic progenitors, is expressed by a lymph node subset of LECs, residing in medullary, cortical and subcapsular sinuses. In the subcapsular sinus, the floor but not the ceiling layer expresses the integrin, being excluded from ACKR4+ LECs but overlapping with MAdCAM-1 expression. ITGA2b expression increases in response to immunization, raising the possibility that heterogeneous ITGA2b levels reflect variation in exposure to activation signals. We show that alterations of the level of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), by overexpression, neutralization or deletion from stromal marginal reticular cells, affected the proportion of ITGA2b+ LECs. Lymph node LECs but not peripheral LECs express RANK. In addition, we found that lymphotoxin-ß receptor signaling likewise regulated the proportion of ITGA2b+ LECs. These findings demonstrate that stromal reticular cells activate LECs via RANKL and support the action of hematopoietic cell-derived lymphotoxin.

Expression of a surface antigen (MA6) by peripheral blood CD34+ cells is correlated with improved platelet engraftment and may explain delayed platelet engraftment following cord blood transplantation.

CD34(+) cell dose provides a measure of hematopoietic tissue that predicts the rate of engraftment upon transplant. It is positively correlated with multiple measures of hematopoietic recovery, including platelet engraftment. Here we identify a subpopulation of CD34(+) cells that coexpress a surface antigen--MA6, which is more positively correlated with platelet engraftment in a clinical setting than CD34(+) alone. The specific identity and function of MA6 remain to be determined, however, it is expressed by primitive megakaryocyte (MK) progenitors, but is lost with differentiation and is not expressed by platelets. Commitment of CD34(+)MA6(+) cells to the MK lineage was confirmed by in vitro assays and their significance in hematopoietic transplantation explored by flow cytometric analysis of cryopreserved samples of granulocyte colony stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) products along with a retrospective analysis of platelet engraftment data. Platelet engraftment by day 21 was predicted by receipt of ≥ 6 × 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg or ≥ 0.3 × 10(6) CD34(+)MA6(+) cells/kg. Subsequent analysis of cord blood (CB) CD34(+) cells revealed <0.2% coexpressed MA6(+), compared to 8% of PBPC CD34(+) cells. This low proportion of CD34(+)MA6(+) cells may be responsible, at least in part, for the delayed platelet engraftment associated with CB transplantation. However, platelet engraftment is markedly improved in recipients of ex vivo-expanded CB. This may be a consequence of an increased proportion of CD34(+)MA6(+) cells present in the ex vivo-expanded product and also suggests that optimizing ex vivo culture conditions to generate CD34(+)MA6(+) cells might further improve platelet engraftment in CB recipients.

Mesenchymal stem cells.

It has become clear that adult mammalian bone marrow contains not one but two ostensibly discrete populations of adult stem cells. The first and by far the most fully characterized are the hematopoietic stem cells responsible for maintaining lifelong production of blood cells. The biological characteristics and properties of the second marrow resident population of stem cells, variously termed bone marrow stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells, are in contrast much less well understood. In vitro, cultures established from single-cell suspensions of bone marrow from a wide range of mammalian species generate colonies of adherent marrow stromal cells, each derived from a single precursor cell termed a colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F). Culture conditions have been developed to expand marrow stromal cells in vitro while maintaining the capacity of these cells to differentiate into bone, fat, and cartilage. A significant portion of our current knowledge of this population of cells is based on analysis of the properties of these culture expanded cells, not on the primary colony-initiating cells. In this article, we will focus on methodologies to prospectively isolate stromal progenitors from mouse and human bone marrow and will review current data that suggest stromal progenitors in the bone marrow in situ are associated with the outer surfaces of blood vessels and may share identity with vascular pericytes.

Ex vivo fucosylation improves human cord blood engraftment in NOD-SCID IL-2Rγ(null) mice.

Delayed engraftment remains a major hurdle after cord blood (CB) transplantation. It may be due, at least in part, to low fucosylation of cell surface molecules important for homing to the bone marrow microenvironment. Because fucosylation of specific cell surface ligands is required before effective interaction with selectins expressed by the bone marrow microvasculature can occur, a simple 30-minute ex vivo incubation of CB hematopoietic progenitor cells with fucosyltransferase-VI and its substrate (GDP-fucose) was performed to increase levels of fucosylation. The physiologic impact of CB hematopoietic progenitor cell hypofucosylation was investigated in vivo in NOD-SCID interleukin (IL)-2Rγ(null) (NSG) mice. By isolating fucosylated and nonfucosylated CD34(+) cells from CB, we showed that only fucosylated CD34(+) cells are responsible for engraftment in NSG mice. In addition, because the proportion of CD34(+) cells that are fucosylated in CB is significantly less than in bone marrow and peripheral blood, we hypothesize that these combined observations might explain, at least in part, the delayed engraftment observed after CB transplantation. Because engraftment appears to be correlated with the fucosylation of CD34(+) cells, we hypothesized that increasing the proportion of CD34(+) cells that are fucosylated would improve CB engraftment. Ex vivo treatment with fucosyltransferase-VI significantly increases the levels of CD34(+) fucosylation and, as hypothesized, this was associated with improved engraftment. Ex vivo fucosylation did not alter the biodistribution of engrafting cells or pattern of long-term, multilineage, multi-tissue engraftment. We propose that ex vivo fucosylation will similarly improve the rate and magnitude of engraftment for CB transplant recipients in a clinical setting.