Perspectives for the Use of Umbilical Cord Blood in Transplantation and Beyond: Initiatives for an Advanced and Sustainable Public Banking Program in Greece.

The umbilical cord blood (UCB) donated in public UCB banks is a source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) alternative to bone marrow for allogeneic HSC transplantation (HSCT). However, the high rejection rate of the donated units due to the strict acceptance criteria and the wide application of the haploidentical HSCT have resulted in significant limitation of the use of UCB and difficulties in the economic sustainability of the public UCB banks. There is an ongoing effort within the UCB community to optimize the use of UCB in the field of HSCT and a parallel interest in exploring the use of UCB for applications beyond HSCT i.

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSC) in the Umbilical Cord Blood: Biological Significance and Possible Therapeutic Applications.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of myeloid cells that suppress immune responses in cancer, infection, and trauma. They mainly act by inhibiting T-cells, natural-killer cells, and dendritic cells, and also by inducing T-regulatory cells, and modulating macrophages. Although they are mostly associated with adverse prognosis of the underlying disease entity, they may display positive effects in specific situations, such as in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), where they suppress graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

Significance of regional population HLA immunogenetic datasets in the efficacy of umbilical cord blood banks and marrow donor registries: a study of Cretan HLA genetic diversity.

Background Aims: The high genetic diversity of HLA across populations significantly confines the effectiveness of a donor or umbilical cord blood search for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aims to probe the HLA immunogenetic profile of the population of Crete, a Greek region with specific geographic and historical characteristics, and to investigate potential patterns in HLA distribution following comparison with the Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (DKMS) donor registry. It also aims to highlight the importance of regional public cord blood banks (PCBBs) in fulfilling HSCT needs, especially in countries with significant genetic diversity.

Detection of the novel HLA-B*51:232:02 variant in an inhabitant from the island of Crete.

Characterization of the HLA-B*51:232:02 allele in a Greek individual of Cretan origin.

Short Term Results of Fibrin Gel Obtained from Cord Blood Units: A Preliminary in Vitro Study.

Background: Recent findings have shown that the fibrin gel derived from cord blood units (CBUs) play a significant role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to standardize the fibrin gel production process in order to allow for its regular use.

Methods: CBUs ( = 200) were assigned to 4 groups according to their initial volume.

Administration of Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet Lysate in Erectile Dysfunction: A Single Center Pilot Study.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than 30 million men; endothelial dysfunction plays a significant role in EDs pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to administer mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from adipose tissue and platelet lysate (PL) into patients with erectile dysfunction. This pilot study enrolled eight patients with diagnosed ED.

Biocompatibility and Immunogenicity of Decellularized Allogeneic Aorta in the Orthotopic Rat Model.

The generation of a small-caliber arterial graft, utilizing a large vessel of a small animal, such as the aorta of the rat or rabbit, for clinical use in the peripheral arterial tree, can widen the options for arterial prostheses. This study demonstrated the ability of the decellularization protocol that was used to produce a noncytotoxic acellular small-caliber arterial graft, with sufficient biomechanical and biological integrity to withstand the demanding flow and pressure environment of the rat aorta. This work also demonstrated the superiority of the decellularized homograft over its intact counterpart, in terms of lower immunogenicity.

Decellularized Human Umbilical Artery Used as Nerve Conduit.

Treatment of injuries to peripheral nerves after a segmental defect is one of the most challenging surgical problems. Despite advancements in microsurgical techniques, complete recovery of nerve function after repair has not been achieved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the decellularized human umbilical artery (hUA) as nerve guidance conduit.

Optimizing isolation culture and freezing methods to preserve Wharton's jelly's mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) properties: an MSC banking protocol validation for the Hellenic Cord Blood Bank.

Background: Mesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population that can be isolated from many tissues including umbilical cord Wharton's jelly (UC-WJ). Although initially limited in studies such as a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation adjuvant, an increasing number of clinical trials consider MSCs as a potential anti-inflammatory or a regenerative medicine agent. It has been proposed that creating a repository of MSCs would increase their availability for clinical applications.