In this study, carboxylic acid functionalized single walled carbon nanotubes (f-SWCNT-COOH) was shown to support the viability and
ex vivo expansion of freeze-thawed, non-enriched hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) in human umbilical cord blood-mononucleated cells (UCB-MNC). Our
in vitro experiments showed that f-SWCNT-COOH increased the viability of the CD45
+ cells even without cytokine stimulation. It also reduced mitochondrial superoxides and caspase activity in CD45
+ cells. f-SWCNT-COOH drastically reduced the proportions of CD45
鈭?/sup> cells in the non-enriched UCB-MNC. Phenotypic expression analysis and functional colony forming units (CFU) showed significant ex vivo expansion of HSPC, particularly of CD45+CD34+CD38鈭?/sup> population and granulocyte-macrophage (GM) colonies, in f-SWCNT-COOH augmented cultures supplemented with basal cytokines. In vivo data suggested that f-SWCNT-COOH expanded UCB-MNC could repopulate immunodeficient mice models with minimal acute or sub-acute symptoms of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and f-SWCNT-COOH dependent toxicity.From the Clinical Editor
In this paper a novel method is presented by using single wall functionalized carbon nanotubes to enhance viability and ex vivo expansion of freeze-thawed, non-enriched hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in human umbilical cord blood -mononucleated cells. Detailed data is presented about enhanced viability, including improved repopulation of immunodeficient mice models with minimal acute or sub-acute symptoms of graft-versus-host disease.