High-throughput immunophenotypic characterization of bone marrow- and cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells reveals common and differentially expressed markers: identification of angiotensin-converting enzyme (CD143) as a marker differentially expressed between adult and perinatal tissue sources.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are a heterogeneous population of multipotent progenitors used in the clinic because of their immunomodulatory properties and their ability to differentiate into multiple mesodermal lineages. Although bone marrow (BM) remains the most common MSC source, cord blood (CB) can be collected noninvasively and without major ethical concerns. Comparative studies comprehensively characterizing the MSC phenotype across several tissue sources are still lacking.

In-vitro analysis of Quantum Molecular Resonance effects on human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Electromagnetic fields play an essential role in cellular functions interfering with cellular pathways and tissue physiology. In this context, Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) produces waves with a specific form at high-frequencies (4-64 MHz) and low intensity through electric fields. We evaluated the effects of QMR stimulation on bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC).

The production method affects the efficacy of platelet derivatives to expand mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro.

Background: The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) as a media supplement for the ex vivo expansion of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSC) has been discouraged by regulatory agencies, due to the risk of transmitting zoonoses and to elicit immune reactions in the host once transplanted. Platelet derivatives are valid FBS substitutes due to their content of growth factors that can be released disrupting the platelets by physical methods or physiological stimuli. We compared platelet derivatives produced by freezing/thawing (platelet lysates, PL) or after CaCl activation (platelet releasate surnatant rich in growth factors, PR-SRGF) for their content in growth factors and their ability to support the ex vivo expansion of BM-MSC.

Generation of mesenchymal stromal cells from cord blood: evaluation of in vitro quality parameters prior to clinical use.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) as advanced therapy medicinal products because of their immunomodulatory properties and supportive role in hematopoiesis. Although bone marrow remains the most common source for obtaining off-the-shelf MSC, cord blood (CB) represents an alternative source, which can be collected noninvasively and without major ethical concerns. However, the low estimated frequency and inconsistency of successful isolation represent open challenges for the use of CB-derived MSC in clinical trials.

Heterogeneity of Specific CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells Stimulated by CMV pp65 and IE1 Antigens.

Characterization of human cytomegalovirus-specific T cells (CMV-T) is of critical importance for their potential use in adoptive immunotherapy after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Background frequencies of CMV-T in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of CMV-seropositive healthy subjects are usually very low, hence the requirement for prolonged culture time and multiple stimulations to expand them. The evaluation of the end-culture specificity and composition has sometimes been neglected or difficult to assess in these settings.

Platelet lysate as a substitute for animal serum for the ex-vivo expansion of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells: present and future.

The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) as a cell culture supplement is discouraged by regulatory authorities to limit the risk of zoonoses and xenogeneic immune reactions in the transplanted host. Additionally, FBS production came under scrutiny due to animal welfare concerns. Platelet derivatives have been proposed as FBS substitutes for the ex-vivo expansion of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) since platelet-derived growth factors can promote MSC ex-vivo expansion.

The cytotoxic action of the CD56+ fraction of cytokine-induced killer cells against a K562 cell line is mainly restricted to the natural killer cell subset.

Background: Cytokine-induced killer cells are polyclonal T cells generated ex vivo and comprise two main subsets: the CD56- fraction, possessing an alloreactive potential caused by T cells (CD3+CD56-), and the CD56+ fraction, characterised by a strong antitumour capacity induced by natural killer-like T cells (NK-like T, CD3+CD56+) and natural killer cells (NK, CD3-CD56+ bright).

Materials And Methods: We investigated the cytotoxic action of selected CD56+ cell subpopulations against a human chronic myeloid leukaemia (K562) cell line.

Results: After immunomagnetic selection of the CD56+ cell fraction, NK bright cells (CD3-CD56+ bright) and two subsets of NK-like T cells (CD3+CD56+), called NK-like T CD56 dim and NK-like T CD56 bright, could be identified.

Clinical significance of LAIR1 (CD305) as assessed by flow cytometry in a prospective series of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Most patients affected by chronic lymphocytic leukemia are diagnosed by flow cytometry. Several immunophenotypic markers have been identified as significant and independent prognostic variables, especially from retrospective cohorts. However, while attractive because their detection is inexpensive and feasible in most laboratories, only few have been validated by independent series.