Reduction in cord blood graft potency due to processing delay can be prevented by trehalose supplementation

Maximizing the potency of cord blood (CB) units (CBU) is a goal of all CB banks. Low transplant cell dose in CB transplantation is one of several contributors to the slower engraftment. Processing delays could also be at play because CBU can be stored at room temperature (RT) for up to 48 h before cryopreservation. We hypothesized that prolonged storage at RT reduces the potency and engraftment activities of CBU due to the loss of haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells.

CBU were split in half, with one half processed shortly after collection and the other half after 40 h of storage at RT. Viabilities and potencies were compared post thaw, and engraftment activity was tested in xenotransplants. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out to identify pathways modulated by prolonged storage at RT.

Prolonged storage at RT reduced the viability of CB cells and potency of grafts based on in vitro and in vivo assays. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that paracrine factors released in CBU induce several changes in gene expression programmes in CD34+ cells. These included the activation of the senescence gene CDKN1B and down-regulation of cell cycle and autophagy genes. Supplementation of CBU with trehalose prevented the loss in cell viability and potency. The latter was associated with the restoration of autophagy and suppression of the senescence gene CDKN1B.

These results stress the importance of rapid processing of CBU and support further investigations on trehalose as a natural supplement to protect CBU' potency during storage.