A subset of mobilized human hematopoietic stem cells express germ layer lineage genes which can be modulated by culture conditions

Abstract Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) clonally differentiate into all myeloid, B-lymphoid, and T-lymphoid lineages. Mouse HSCs are known to form in vitro colonies comprised of morphologically identifiable myeloid cells such as neutrophils, macrophages, erythroblasts, and megakaryocytes. Whether HSCs are able to differentiate along B-and T-lymphoid lineages in such colonies remains obscure. The co-culture systems with stromal cells such as S17, OP9, OP9/Delta cells have been shown to support B- and T-cell development. These systems have been used to identify subclasses of progenitors with lymphoid potentials. However, neither B cells nor T cells have been successfully generated from HSCs in vitro. This is most likely due to the lack of culture conditions which support HSCs to differentiate into a certain stage of lymphoid progenitors. In this study, we attempted to use serum-free single-cell culture to identify cytokines which fill the developmental gap between HSCs and lymphoid progenitors. Here we show that myelo-lymphoid colonies are formed by HSCs in the presence of thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin (IL)-11, or IL-12 together with stem cell factor (SCF). CD34-negative/low, c-Kit-positive, Sca-1-positive, lineage marker-negative (CD34-KSL) bone marrow cells were individually cultured with a combination of cytokines for 7 days. All cells in each colony were transplanted into each from a group of lethally irradiated mice, along with compromised bone marrow cells. The recipient mice were periodically analyzed after transplantation to detect transient myeloid and lymphoid reconstitution. All myeloid, B-, and T-lymphoid progenitor activities were detected in single colonies formed in the presence of SCF+TPO, SCF+IL-11, SCF+IL-12. Only myeloid progenitor activity was predominantly detected in single colonies formed in the presence of SCF+IL-3, consistent with previous observations in blast colony assays. All these combinations of cytokines support self-renewal in HSCs to varying degrees. We conclude that TPO, IL-11, and IL-12 directly act on HSCs and support them to differentiate into progenitors with lymphoid differentiation potential. Early differentiation pathways in HSCs are likely to be used in common by myeloid and lymphoid lineages and be supported in common by multiple cytokines.

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Long-term expansion of transplantable human fetal liver hematopoietic stem cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2003-06-1815 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 103 (3) ◽

pp. 1166-1170 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Pierre Rollini ◽

Stefan Kaiser ◽

Eveline Faes-van't Hull ◽

Ursula Kapp ◽

Serge Leyvraz

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Fetal Liver ◽

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Promising Alternative ◽

Human Fetal Liver ◽

Nonobese Diabetic

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), with their dual ability for self-renewal and multilineage differentiation, constitute an essential component of hematopoietic transplantations. Human fetal liver (FL) represents a promising alternative HSC source, and we previously reported simple culture conditions allowing long-term expansion of FL hematopoietic progenitors. In the present study, we used the nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mouse xenotransplantation assay to confirm that human FL is rich in NOD/SCID-repopulating cells (SRCs) and to show that these culture conditions repeatedly maintained short- and long-term SRCs from various FL samples for at least 28 days. Quantitative limited dilution analysis in NOD/SCID mice demonstrated for the first time that a 10- to over a 100-fold net expansion of FL SRCs could be achieved after 28 days of culture. The efficiency of this culture system may lead to an increase in the use of FL as a source of HSCs for transplantation in adult patients, as previously demonstrated with umbilical cord blood under different culture conditions. (Blood. 2004;103:1166-1170)

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Preclinical Development of a Cryopreservable Megakaryocyte Cell Product from Cord Blood Derived Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.3859.3859 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 3859-3859

Author(s):

Helen Fong ◽

Goar Mosoyan ◽

Ami Patel ◽

Ronald Hoffman ◽

Jay Tong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Shelf Life ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Cell Product ◽

Cd34 Cells

Abstract Platelet (PTL) transfusions are currently the most effective treatment for patients with thrombocytopenia. Demand for PTL transfusions has steadily increased in recent years, straining a PTL supply that is already limited due to dependency on volunteer donors, short shelf life, risk of infections, and alloimmunization. This dilemma has stimulated the search for alternative approaches for generating PTLs ex vivo from different sources of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Although PTLs have been successfully generated in cultures initiated with primary human CD34+ cells and pluripotent stem cells, the generation of a clinically relevant PTL product ex vivo faces significant obstacles due to scalability, reproducibility and shelf life. We propose an alternative approach to overcome such obstacles by developing a cryopreservable cell product consisting of megakaryocytes (MK) that can produce PTL in vivo after transfusion into patients. Umbilical cord blood units (CBU) are FDA-approved, readily available sources for allogeneic HSC for transplantation in patients with various blood disorders. Our method utilizes a previously developed two-step culture system of megakaryopoiesis from CB CD34+ cells to generate an MK culture composed of defined MK populations: CD34+/CD41+/CD42b- MK precursors (MKP), immature CD34-/CD41+/CD42b- MK (iMK) and mature CD34-/CD41+/CD42b+ MK (mMK). While robust, the yield of MKs obtained in these cultures is restricted due to limited numbers of HSCs in CB. Our group has recently demonstrated that the numbers of CB CD34+ can be significantly expanded by epigenetic reprogramming following treatment with valproic acid (VPA). Here, we report the integration and optimization of HSC expansion with MK differentiation in order to generate a clinically relevant MK cell product. We tested 20 different culture conditions in which CD34+ cells were cultured for 5 to 8 days in the absence or presence of VPA in serum-free media with various cytokines to allow for HSC expansion. The resulting HSC pool is cultured for additional 4 to 7 days in MK differentiation/maturation media. The overall yield of CD41+ MKs obtained ranged from 8 to 33 MK per input CD34+ cell expanded in the presence of cytokines alone (n=10; mean 19.8 MK) and from 9 to 34 MK per input CD34+ cell expanded in the presence of cytokines plus VPA (n=10; mean 20.7 MK). Given that up to 2x106 CD34+ cells can be isolated from one CBU, it is anticipated that a culture yielding 28 or more MK per one CD34+ cell would generate over 56x106 MK or the equivalent of 7x105 CD41+ MK/kg/body weight for infusion into an 80 kg recipient. The culture conditions resulting in a yield of 28 or more MK per one CD34+ cell input are currently optimized to further maximize the fraction of MK generated which currently varies between 15-57% of culture. The predominant sub-population of MK resulted in these conditions consists of mMKs, regardless of VPA treatment. However, in the presence of VPA, the cultures contain a greater number of assayable CFU-MKs as compared to cytokines alone. Furthermore, preliminary studies suggest that transplantation of ex vivo generated MK leads to detectable human CD41+ cells into the BM and human PTL into the PB of NSG recipient mice. These results indicate that a MK cell product derived from CB HSCs expanded by VPA comprises not only mMK and iMK capable of immediate PTL release but also MKP and HPCs which are capable of sustained MK and PTL production. Another major advantage of a transfusion product composed of nucleated MKs is the possibility of storage by cryopreservation. Due to the fragility of mMK, we tested the cryopreservation of heterogeneous and purified MK cultures. Viability of cryopreserved MK cultures post-thaw was between 68.4-70% and no changes in the MK phenotype. Studies are ongoing to test the ex vivo and in vivo functionality of the cryopreserved MKs. In summary, starting with expanded CB HSC we created a cryopreservable cell product composed of different MK sub-populations within the MK hierarchy which is being developed into a clinically relevant therapy for treatment of thrombocytopenia. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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SMALL Molecules Mediated Hematopoietic STEM and Progenitor CELLS Expansion for GENE Editing Application

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2018-99-120262 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 5803-5803

Author(s):

Abisha Crystal C ◽

Saravanabhavan Thangavel ◽

Shaji Ramachandran Velayudhan ◽

Alok Srivastava ◽

Aneesha Nath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Small Molecules ◽

Gene Editing ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Colony Forming Cell ◽

Ex Vivo Culture

Abstract Genome editing of Hematopoietic stem Cells has revolutionized the treatment strategies for genetic disorders. Despite this, it still remains a great challenge as hematopoietic stem cells tend to lose its stem-ness during the ex vivo culture and gene editing process. The need for large dose of CD34+ HSPCs for manipulation makes it a seemingly difficult strategy. Recent works suggest that the potential effects of small molecules in expanding cord blood HSPCs ex vivo promoting self-renewal and delaying differentiation. We screened several reported small molecules to identify a condition that promotes the expansion of adult HSPCs for gene manipulation process. The mobilized Peripheral blood HSPCs are purified and cultured with a cytokine cocktail. Along with the cytokine cocktail, we tested several small molecules and in different combinations. Expression of cell surface receptors were analysed by FACS after 12 days of ex vivo culture. Our screening identified a unique culture condition that expanded the primitive stem cell population (CD34+/CD133+/CD90+cells) along with the early progenitors (CD34+/CD133+) and the progenitors (CD34+). Our culture conditions expanded the primitive cells by 20 folds compared to the mock treated cells. Our treatment release experiments suggested that the expansion is due to our culture conditions and are reversible.The colony forming cell (CFC) assay showed about 30 fold increase in the numbers of multilineage colony forming cell (CFU-GEMM) thereby ensuring the proliferation and differentiation capacity of expanded HSPCs. Their differentiation ability was also confirmed by ex vivo differentiation into Megakaryocytes. Our treatment conditions reduced the apoptosis rate during the ex vivo culture and improved their cell migration response towards SDF. The reduced reactive oxygen species levels and increased CXCR4 expression were observed in our expanded HSPCs and these might be the possible reasons for the low apoptosis and better cell migration respectively. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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A Hypoxic Niche in the Mouse Bone Marrow Diminishes Proliferation and Differentiation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.4777.4777 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 4777-4777

Author(s):

Pernilla M Eliasson ◽

Jan-Ingvar Jönsson

Keyword(s):

Cell Cycle ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Bone Marrow ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Active Form ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Mouse Bone Marrow ◽

Quiescent State ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract In the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in specialized niches in close contact with stromal cells and endosteal osteoblasts. It is thought that this environment is hypoxic in nature, where HSCs are maintained in a quiescent state to prevent their depletion. Hypoxia stabilizes the transcription factor HIF-1α which triggers angiogenesis as well as genes slowering the cell cycle, promoting cell survival, and leading to a decrease in cellular metabolism. In this study, hypoxic effects of the maintenance of Lin−Sca1+c-kit+* (LSK) cells derived from mouse bone marrow and the involvement of the transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1α) were investigated. Hypoxic culture conditions led to an increase in numbers of primitive colony-forming progenitor cells and a preferential expansion of immature blast-like appearing cells. Concurrently, the immature c-kit Sca-1 phenotype was better maintained in hypoxia compared to ambient oxygen levels. Moreover, hypoxia decreased the proliferation of HSCs as measured by CFSE or PKH26 staining. This was confirmed by cell cycle analysis, and hypoxic cultivation decreased the percentage of cells in S-phase whereas cells in G0/G1 phase increased. Cells infected with a constitutively active form of HIF-1α showed the same pattern as cells cultured in hypoxia. To verify that the effect is HIF-1α mediated, we silenced HIF-1α in LSK cells with shRNA. The decrease in proliferation in hypoxic cultivation of cells infected with shRNA against HIF-1α was markedly diminished, indicating that HIF-1α play an important role in controlling proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells. These results suggest that a major function of hypoxia is to counteract proliferation and possibly differentiation, thereby sustaining maintenance. Furthermore, hypoxic culture conditions may have beneficial clinical implications for ex vivo purposes and may improve the yields of stem cells. In our ongoing-studies, we are investigating whether HIF-1α and hypoxia is an absolute prerequisite for the proper maintenance of HSCs in the bone marrow.

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Differential Effects of Culture Conditions on the Migration Pattern of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-Stimulated Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Stem Cells ◽

10.1634/stemcells.22-6-890 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 890-896 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

C. Weidt

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Stromal Cell ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Migration Pattern ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Differential Effects ◽

Stromal Cell Derived Factor

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In vitro Generation of Megakaryocytes and Platelets

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.713434 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Huicong Liu ◽

Jiaqing Liu ◽

Lingna Wang ◽

Fangfang Zhu

Keyword(s):

Stem Cells ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽

Large Scale ◽

Blood Platelet ◽

Cell Types ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Hematopoietic Stem

Platelets, the tiny anucleate cells responsible for stopping bleeding through thrombosis, are derived from hematopoietic stem cells through a series of differentiation steps. Thrombocytopenia, characterized by abnormally low blood platelet counts, may arise from cancer therapies, trauma, sepsis, as well as blood disorders, and could become a life-threatening problem. Platelet transfusion is the most effective strategy to treat thrombocytopenia, however, the source of platelets is in great shortage. Therefore, in vitro generation of platelets has become an important topic and numerous attempts have been made toward generating platelets from different types of cells, including hematopoietic stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, fibroblast cells, and adipose-derived cells. In this review, we will detail the efforts made to produce, in the in vitro culture, platelets from these different cell types. Importantly, as transfusion medicine requires a huge number of platelets, we will highlight some studies on producing platelets on a large scale. Although new methods of gene manipulation, new culture conditions, new cytokines and chemical compounds have been introduced in platelet generation research since the first study of hematopoietic stem cell-derived platelets nearly 30 years ago, limited success has been achieved in obtaining truly mature and functional platelets in vitro, indicating the studies of platelets fall behind those of other blood cell types. This is possibly because megakaryocytes, which produce platelets, are very rare in blood and marrow. We have previously developed a platform to identify new extrinsic and intronic regulators for megakaryocytic lineage development, and in this review, we will also cover our effort on that. In summary, stem cell-based differentiation is a promising way of generating large-scale platelets to meet clinical needs, and continuous study of the cellular development of platelets will greatly facilitate this.

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