Subpopulation of Umbilical Cord Blood Cells Have Potential to Become Neural Cells

Blood Weekly
February 9, 2006

2006 FEB 9 -(NewsRx.com) -- A subpopulation within umbilical cord blood cells have the potential to become neural cells.

According to a study from the United States, "The mononuclear fraction from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) contains a significant number of stem/progenitor cells that in theory could become any cell in the body, including neurons.

"Taking into consideration that transdifferentiation would be a very rare event and also knowing that overlapping genetic programs for hematopoiesis and neuropoiesis exist, we undertook a characterization of the HUCB mononuclear fraction, including analysis of cellular subpopulations and their morphology, cell viability, proliferation, and expression of neural and hematopoietic antigens."

"Two cell populations were apparent-adherent and floating fractions. The adherent fraction was mainly lymphocytes (similar to 53%) expressing hematopoietic antigens. Upon replate, the floating population had many cells that expressed stem cell antigens.

"More of the cells in this subfraction expressed neural proteins. Neurotrophin receptors trkB and trkC were present in both cell fractions, although expression was higher in the floating fraction," N. Chen and colleagues at the University of South Florida reported.

Scientists concluded, "Our initial characterization suggests that a subpopulation of cells exists within the HUCB mononuclear fraction that seems to have the potential to become neural cells, which could then be used in the development of cell-based therapies for brain injuries and diseases."

Chen and colleagues published the results of their research in Stem Cells (Human umbilical cord blood progenitors: The potential of these hematopoietic cells to become neural. Stem Cells, 2005;23(10):1560-1570).

For additional information, contact N. Chen, University of S Florida, College Med, Dept. Neurosurgery, Center Excellence Aging & Brain Repair, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA.

The publisher of the journal Stem Cells can be contacted at: Alphamed Press, 318 Blackwell St., Ste. 260, Durham, NC 27701-2884, USA.

Keywords: Tampa, Florida, United States, Hematopoiesis, Neural Cells, Umbilical Cord Blood Cell Subpopulation, Mononuclear Fraction, Cell Therapy.

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