HPA Frequencies in the Syrian Population.

Background: Exposure to allogenic Human Platelet Antigens (HPAs) can lead to antibody formation causing different immunological reactions. Frequencies of common HPA antigens differ between ethnic groups and should be known to calculate potential alloimmunization risk. Syrian refugees are the largest group of applicants for asylum in Germany in 2017.

Clinical-grade generation of peptide-stimulated CMV/EBV-specific T cells from G-CSF mobilized stem cell grafts.

Background: A major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aSCT) is the reactivation of herpesviruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Both viruses cause significant mortality and compromise quality of life after aSCT. Preventive transfer of virus-specific T cells can suppress reactivation by re-establishing functional antiviral immune responses in immunocompromised hosts.

Human Neutrophil Alloantigen Genotype Frequencies Among Syrian Population.

Background: Human neutrophil antigens (HNA) are able to provoke allo- and autoimmune antibodies which lead to reactions like autoimmune and neonatal neutropenia. However, until now no data about HNA genotype distribution in Syrian population exists. The aim of this study was to determine the HNA allele frequencies in the largest group asking for asylum in Germany since 2015.

Identification of the novel allele, HLA-A*01:234, in the mother of a German cord blood donor.

HLA-A*01:234 was identified by next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Identification of the novel allele, HLA-C*01:136 in a German cord blood donor originating from Azerbaijan.

HLA-C*01:136 identified by next generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.

Comparison of Six Different Cryoprotective Agents Used for Deep Freezing and Storage of CD34+ Cells Derived from Cord Blood and Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Concentrates.

Background: For cryopreservation of stem cells, a cryoprotective agent is essential. Dimethyl sulfoxide is commonly used, but has deleterious effects on cell vitality in the warmth and for the recipients of stem cells. The aim of the study was to reduce DMSO and find one cryoprotective solution suitable for stem cells of different origin.

Comparison of Simultaneous CD34+ and CD3+ Quantification with a Modified Stem Cell Enumeration Kit on Two Different Flow Cytometers.

Background: Quantification of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood stem cell apheresis is normally performed by single platform flow cytometric measurements according to the ISHAGE protocol. Peripheral blood stem cell concentrates (PBSC) produced by apheresis normally contain many T cells. Those T cells can be used for production of donor lymphocyte infusion doses, if abundant amounts of CD34+ cells have been collected.

Influence of Duration and Temperature of Transport and Storage Prior to Processing on Cell Quality of Cord Blood Units--A German. Experience.

Background: In Germany, cord blood needs to be transported to the processing facility to be processed and cryopreserved within 48 hours after collection according to national guidelines. During that time, a temperature of 22 ± 4 degrees C must be maintained. The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of temperature during transport and storage prior to processing and cryopreservation on stem cells in 2460 both autologous and allogeneic umbilical cord blood samples.

Transfusion-related alloimmune neutropenia with no pulmonary complications: one donor-five cases.

Background: Neutrophil alloantibodies are well-known triggers of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) and also cause immune neutropenia. Alloimmune neutropenia due to transfusion is an isolated phenomenon that is only rarely identified. Its incidence is specified in the literature as being less than one in 10,000 transfused plasma-containing units.

T-cell subsets in autologous and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell concentrates.

Background And Objectives: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and other T-cell subsets are of importance in the setting of autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantations. We conducted a study to assess the content of peripheral blood stem cell concentrates and related apheresis parameters in the autologous and allogeneic setting.

Material And Methods: We characterized 53 donors, patients and peripheral blood stem cell concentrates (PBSC) regarding the content of CD45(+) cells, lymphocytes, CD3(+) cells, CD3(+) CD4(+) T cells, CD3(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells, CD3(+) CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(low/negative) Tregs and CD34(+) cells and calculated cell yields, recruitment factors and collection efficiency for all cell types.

The effect of cell concentrations from different cell populations on the viability of umbilical blood stem cells.

Background: In addition to bone marrow or peripheral blood derived stem cells, cord blood (CB) is an alternative source for hematopoietic stem cells. This report shows the impact of higher concentrations of leukocytes, mononu- clear cells (MNCs), and CD34-positive cells on the viability of CB derived stem cells after cryopreservation.

Methods: Statistical analysis of data from 5520 CB units, prepared and cryopreserved from 2003 through 2011, was performed with appropriate software.

Comparison of a new microscopic system for the measurement of residual leucocytes in apheresis platelets with flow cytometry and manual counting.

Background And Objectives: Since 2001, all blood components in Germany must be leucocyte depleted. Recently, a new method for quality control of depletion was introduced. Our study aimed at the validation of the method for routine use in apheresis platelet concentrates.

The novel allele, HLA-B*08:113, identified in a German cord blood donor and his mother.

The novel allele HLA-B*08:113 identified in two related individuals of Caucasian origin is described.

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem- and progenitor cells from cord blood in coculture with mesenchymal stroma cells from amnion, chorion, Wharton's jelly, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and bone marrow.

In most cases, the amount of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in a single cord blood (CB) unit is not sufficient for allogenic transplantation of adults. Therefore, two CB units are usually required. The ex vivo expansion of HSPCs from CB in coculture with mesenchymal stroma cells (MSCs) might be an alternative.

Donor safety in triple plateletpheresis: results from the German and Austrian Plateletpheresis Study Group multicenter trial.

Background: The objective was to investigate potential risks for apheresis donors associated with a triple-plateletpheresis (TP) program.

Study Design And Methods: Eleven hemapheresis centers randomly assigned 411 repeat donors (ratio, 1:1.2) to either double plateletpheresis (DP; 185 donors) or TP (226 donors) with a platelet (PLT) target content of at least 5.

Human neutrophil alloantigen genotype frequencies among blood donors with Turkish and German descent.

Antibodies against the human neutrophil antigens (HNA) are able to stimulate transfusion reactions, autoimmune and neonatal neutropenia. The aim of this study was to determine the HNA allele frequencies in the largest ethnic minority group in Germany in comparison with the German population for predicting the risk of alloimmunization and associated transfusion reactions, as well as the risk of developing neonatal neutropenia for the newborn of racial mixed couples. However, there exists no data about HNA genotype distribution in Turkish population.

The novel allele, HLA-B*07:68:02, identified in a German cord blood donor and her father.

The novel allele HLA-B*07:68:02 identified in two related individuals of Caucasian origin is described.

Influence of prestorage leukoreduction and subsequent irradiation on in vitro red blood cell (RBC) storage variables of RBCs in additive solution saline-adenine-glucose-mannitol.

Background: There exists only very few data on in vitro and in vivo effects of gamma irradiation of red blood cells (RBCs) that have been leukoreduced by filtration before a subsequent irradiation. Reported studies reflect neither the current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the European recommendations on timing of irradiation and subsequent storage.

Study Design And Methods: We studied 40 RBC units that were prepared from inline filtered whole blood and 40 RBC units that were filtered after component separation.