Chelatable cellular copper modulates differentiation and self-renewal of cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Objectives: We have demonstrated epigenetic modulation of CD34(+) cell differentiation by the high-affinity copper (Cu) chelator tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). TEPA slowed down the rate of CD34(+) cell differentiation and increased their engraftability in SCID mice. TEPA biological activity was attributed to its effect on cellular Cu levels as (a) treatment with TEPA resulted in reduction of cellular Cu, and (b) excess of Cu reversed TEPA's activity and accelerated differentiation.