title: Isolation of oligodendrocyte-like cells from human umbilical cord blood.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tracy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aldrink
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Panosian
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beam
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kurtzberg
mesh_terms: D015087:2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D015087:2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases