Cord blood collection and processing with hydroxyethyl starch or non-hydroxyethyl starch

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Cellular Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cord blood (CB) processing quality is crucial for cord blood banks (CBBs).
• Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and the Sepax system are commonly used for CB volume reduction.
• HES withdrawal necessitated validation of a non-HES protocol.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a non-HES protocol for cord blood processing.
• To compare the efficacy of HES and non-HES protocols on CB unit quality.
• To identify CB characteristics influencing transplant potency.

Main Methods:

• Partially retrospective study analyzing CB characteristics (gestational age, volume, cell count).
• Assessed total nucleated cell (TNC) and mononuclear cell (MNC) recovery, hematocrit (HCT), and colony-forming units (CFUs).
• Determined CD34(+) and CD45(+) cell viability using 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) and AnnexinV (AnnV) staining in 21mL and 42mL buffy coat (BC) samples.

Main Results:

• Gestational age and defined BC volume influenced CB transplant potency.
• High initial cell counts/volumes negatively correlated with post-processing TNC recovery for lower BC volumes.
• Non-HES protocol showed significantly lower post-thaw viable CD34(+) cell recovery compared to HES (21mL: 45.4% vs 72.7%; 42mL: 67.3% vs 83.4%).

Conclusions:

• The non-HES protocol results in lower post-thaw CD34(+) cell viability.
• Use of HES is recommended for optimal cord blood processing, preferably with high BC volume.
• Post-processing HCT did not significantly impact post-thaw CD34(+) cell viability.