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Gestational age-dependent changes in circulating hematopoietic stem cells in newborn infants
D W Clapp1, J E Baley, S L Gerson
1Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH.
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Hematopoietic stem cell transfer in fetuses is largely complete by 34 weeks gestation. Premature infants under 32 weeks show high stem cell levels, suggesting ongoing liver-to-bone marrow transfer.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Hematology
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) originate in the fetal yolk sac.
- HSCs are hypothesized to transfer via circulation to establish hematopoiesis in other organs.
- The precise timing of HSC transfer in human premature infants remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gestational age-dependent changes in circulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in preterm and term infants.
- To evaluate the completeness of HSC transfer by assessing HSC concentrations in cord blood across different gestational ages.
- To explore the implications of high HSC levels in extremely preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cord blood samples from 13 preterm (25-36 weeks gestation) and 10 term (38-42 weeks gestation) infants.
- Quantification of pluripotent (CFU-GEMM), erythroid (BFU-E, CFU-E), and myeloid (CFU-GM) stem cells.
- Statistical analysis to determine correlations between gestational age and HSC concentrations.
Main Results:
- A significant gestational age-dependent decrease in all measured lineages of circulating HSCs was observed (p < 0.001).
- By 34 weeks gestation, circulating HSC concentrations in preterm infants matched those of term infants.
- Infants born before 32 weeks gestation exhibited elevated levels of circulating HSCs.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis of a blood-borne transfer of hematopoiesis, largely completed by 34 weeks gestation.
- High HSC levels in infants born before 32 weeks may indicate active hematopoiesis transfer from the liver to the bone marrow.
- This study provides crucial insights into fetal hematopoiesis development and transfer dynamics.