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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
14:42
Isolation and Analysis of Hematopoietic Stem Cells from the Placenta
Published on: June 24, 2008
Human term placenta as a source of hematopoietic cells
Vladimir Serikov1, Catherine Hounshell, Sandra Larkin
1Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
|May 12, 2009
Summary
The human placenta contains abundant hematopoietic stem cells, offering a promising alternative to umbilical cord blood for transplantation. This discovery could significantly increase the cellular yield for transplants.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation is limited by insufficient cellular content.
- Hematopoietic progenitor cells have been identified in murine placental tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of hematopoietic cells and hematopoiesis sites in the human placenta.
- To develop a method for processing and storing placental hematopoietic cells for transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human placental tissue for CD34-expressing cells.
- Culturing placental cells to assess hematopoietic colony formation (erythroid, myeloid).
- Transplantation of placental cells into immunodeficient mice to evaluate lymphoid cell production.
Main Results:
- The human placenta harbors a substantial number of CD34+ hematopoietic cells.
- Placental cells yielded significantly more cells compared to typical UCB harvests.
- Cultured placental cells formed erythroid and myeloid colonies.
- Transplanted placental cells generated lymphoid cells in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The human placenta is a viable source of hematopoietic stem cells.
- Placental hematopoietic cells demonstrate potential for allogeneic transplantation.
- Placental cells may overcome the cellular yield limitations of UCB transplantation.
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