< Blood Service News - 15.11.2010

New methods of assessing the stem cell content of cord blood

Progenitor cell grafts from umbilical cord blood are increasingly being used for therapies such as the treatment of various diseases of the bone marrow. Cord blood is collected from healthy full-term infants with the mother's consent and subsequently frozen for later use. In her doctoral dissertation, defended in the University of Helsinki on 12 November 2010, Sari Juutistenaho found new methods for assessing the progenitor cell content of cord blood.

Cord blood contains progenitor cells, which can be transplanted into patients with endogenous stem cell production disorders. For instance, cord blood grafts are used alongside conventional bone marrow grafts in the treatment of leukaemia patients.

In order to ensure good transplant results, the haematopoietic progenitor cell content of cord blood units must be sufficient. The objective of this doctoral thesis was to identify factors that would allow the progenitor cell content of cord blood to be more accurately predicted and ensure the preservation of progenitor cells during cord blood processing and storage.

The study found that placental weight, cord blood pH value reflecting normal stress during delivery, and cord blood platelet volume are predictive of haematopoietic progenitor cell content, which can be verified with a demanding laboratory test.

Another factor that may influence the differentiation of progenitor cells is activation of the blood coagulation system. In this study, coagulation system activation was measured in connection with cord blood collection, and it was found to remain at an acceptable level when standardised collection methods are employed.

Models for predicting the progenitor cell content of cord blood units were created in the study. These prediction models will be of use to cord blood banks in their efforts to improve the usability of cord blood units.

In Finland, cord blood service is the responsibility of the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service. Cord blood is currently collected from voluntary donor mothers in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa at the Helsinki University Central Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and at Jorvi Hospital. The Blood Service has stored more than 3,000 frozen cord blood grafts in the Cord Blood Bank. At the moment, few cord blood grafts are distributed in Finland, about 5 to 10 each year. However, the number of transplants is likely to increase significantly in the near future if the progenitor cell content of cord blood units can be increased.