Evaluation of procedures for quantification of CD34haematopoietic stem cells and viability studies in umbilical cord blood derived mononuclear cells

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation is being used as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells for bone marrow reconstitution. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation is being used as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells for bone marrow reconstitution. Separation and processing of UCB samples in large numbers for storage in cord blood banks ideally needs to be partially automated. This study examines the loss of CD34cells concentration and viability of mononuclear cells from baseline verses one month, baseline verses six month and one month verses six month as well as standardization of procedure for cryopresevation of cord blood derived haematopoietic stem cells. A total of 500 umbilical cord blood units were collected. Samples were analyzed for CD34 cells concentration and viability of mononuclear cells at baseline, one month and six month. In present study we found that the mean CD34cell loss from base line to one month was found to be 0.24c/o, baseline to six month was 0.78c/o and one month to six month was 0.54c/o. The mean viability of mononuclear cell loss from base line to one month was found to be 8.26c/o, baseline to six month was 74.20c/o and one month to six month was8.99c/o. Our data indicate that CD34 cells and viability of mononuclear cells in UCB were maintained after cryopreservation of six month period in -80C. This amount of CD34 cells were within the range used for successful engraftment in both related and unrelated cord blood transplantation.