Nasal epithelial cells of donor origin after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are generated at a faster rate in the first 3 months compared with later posttransplantation.
Detection of donor-type epithelial cells (ECs) after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) using XY chromosome fluorescein in situ hybridization (FISH) has suggested that hematopoietic stem cells carry a degree of developmental plasticity. This is controversial, given artifacts of XY-based detection and the possibility of hematopoietic-nonhematopoietic cell fusion. Moreover, the kinetics of donor-type ECs (quantity at different time points after transplant) is unknown. Here, we document unequivocally the existence of donor-type ECs using a method obviating the artifacts of XY-FISH and study their kinetics. Nasal scrapings and blood specimens were collected from 60 allo-HCT survivors between 7 days and 22 years posttransplantation. DNA extracted from laser-captured nasal ECs (ie, CK(+)CD45(-) cells) and blood leukocytes was polymerase chain reaction-amplified for a panel of 16 short tandem repeat markers. The median percentage of donor-type ECs (among nasal ECs) was 0% on day 7 posttransplantation, 2.8% at 3 months posttransplantation, and 8.5% at 12-22 years posttransplantation. Cell fusion was ruled out by FISH analysis for two autosomes. We conclude that donor-type nasal ECs exist after HCT, and that their percentage rises rapidly in the first 3 months posttransplantation and more slowly thereafter.
Khan
Faisal M
FM
Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3535 Research Road NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. fkhan@ucalgary.ca
Sy
Sarah
S
Louie
Polly
P
Smith
Megan
M
Chernos
Judy
J
Berka
Noureddine
N
Sinclair
Gary D
GD
Lewis
Victor
V
Russell
James A
JA
Storek
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D014019:Tissue Donors; D018183:Transplantation Chimera; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D055815:Young Adult