Ex vivo fucosylation of stem cells to improve engraftment: WO2004094619.
BACKGROUND
The application is in the field of haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and umbilical cord blood (CB) transplantation.


OBJECTIVE
It aims at determining an enzymatic procedure to improve the engraftment of CB stem cells to the bone marrow (BM) as well as the rate of success of CB transplantation.


METHODS
Human CB stem cells were treated with alpha1-3 fucosyltransferase VI (FTVI) for 30 min ex vivo prior to transplantation. Human CB stem cells were administered intravenously in irradiated nonobese diabetic/severe combined immune deficiency (NOD/SCID) mice.


RESULTS
Treatment of CB stem cells with FTVI improves their engraftment in the BM of NOD/SCID mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of CB stem cells with FTVI, ex vivo prior to transplantation, may reduce the delay of engraftment of CB stem cells to the BM and the risk of early infections associated with CB transplants, particularly in adults. It may improve the outcome and rate of success of CB transplantation. The application claims the use of fucosyltransferase for improving the engraftment of CB HSCs to the BM for the treatment of haematologic diseases. The procedure may be used to improve the engraftment of HSCs from other sources and other types of stem cells, on transplantation, particularly when administered intravenously.
Taupin
Philippe
P
Dublin City University, School of Biotechnology, Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland. philippe.taupin@dcu.ie
D000818:Animals; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005647:Fucosyltransferases / Q000737:chemistry*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010330:Patents as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005647:Fucosyltransferases