OBJECTIVECord blood (CB) provides a rich source of stem cells for transplantation. CB transplantation has been used widely after myeloablative therapy. One major disadvantage of CB transplantation is delayed platelet engraftment. The aim of this study was to hasten platelet engraftment by investigating the ability of different hematopoietic growth factor combinations to generate large numbers of megakaryocyte (Mk) from CB and by evaluating the biologic characteristics and function of the expanded Mk.

METHODSCB samples were obtained at the end of normal full-term deliveries with informed consent. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from CB using Ficoll density centrifugation. MNC population was positively selected for CD(34) expression by magnetic cell sorting (MACS). CD(34)(+) cells were cultured in serum-free and stroma-free medium containing the following two different cytokine combinations: thrombopoietin (TPO) + stem cell factor (SCF) + interleukin (IL) -3 + IL-6 and TPO + SCF. Cultures were characterized after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days by flow cytometry, colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-Mk) and maturation evaluation (Mk ploidy). The expanded Mk function was examined by the platelet activation in vitro and severe combined immunodiffiency (SCID) mice transplantation in vivo.

RESULTSDifferent results were observed with different culture conditions. With the first cytokine combination optimal expansion of CD(41)(+) cells was observed on day 10, but the optimal expansion of Mk progenitors (CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+)) was observed on day 7, with a median 121 and 44-fold increase at the starting cell dose. This result was also proven by CFU-Mk. The largest numbers of CFU-Mk were also observed on day 7. The degree of maturation of Mk cells also increased as suggested by DNA content of CD(41)(+) cells, which means that CD(34)(+) cells cultured for 3 - 7 days were richer in primitive Mks, while those cultured for 10 - 14 days had greater numbers of more differentiated Mks. For the second cytokine combination, CD(41)(+) and CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) cells were fewer than the first one, but it produced 36 and 85-fold CD(34)(+)CD(41)(+) and CD(41)(+) respectively on day 7. Platelet activation test confirmed that the expanded Mks had normal function. Therefore, the expanded Mks could be transplanted into the SCID mice bone marrow and produce human platelet in the peripheral blood of the mice.

CONCLUSIONEx vivo expanded Mk might facilitate CB transplantation and help shorten the period of post-transplant thrombocytopenia.