No 1 (2006)

The review presents current data on the production and use of cord blood stem cells in neonatology.

The review is devoted to the search for new [non-hematopoietic] stem and progenitor cell populations of human umbilical cord blood, the possibilities of their isolation and therapeutic use. For convenience, the review is divided into several chapters, at the end of each of which there is a separate list of references.

The review is devoted to the search for new [non-hematopoietic] stem and progenitor cell populations of human umbilical cord blood, the possibilities of their isolation and therapeutic use. For convenience, the review is divided into several chapters, at the end of each of which there is a separate list of references.

Umbilical cord blood cell transplantation [PC], as an alternative to unrelated bone marrow transplantation [TCM], has already firmly taken its place in oncohematology. The main advantages of PC transplantation, in comparison with TCM, include a lower incidence of the "graft-versus-host reaction" [GVHD] and a more liberal approach to the degree of HLA compatibility of the graft with an equal post-transplant prognosis, however, with PC transplantation, a lower engraftment and an increased likelihood of recurrence are noted [1,2].

The purpose of this study was to develop a method for collecting, fractionating cord blood and cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells. A method of collecting umbilical cord blood in a built-in Fenwal, Baxter container has been worked out. A method of cord blood fractionation using polyglucine has been developed. The technique of cryopreservation of hematopoietic stem cells using a 5% DMSO solution in combination with polyglucine and freezing in liquid nitrogen vapor at a constant cooling rate has been developed. A computer database has been created and tested to store information about cord blood samples. The developed techniques can be successfully applied for harvesting, long-term storage of hematopoietic cord blood stem cells with subsequent transplantation to patients suffering from oncological diseases.

The last two decades in biology and medicine have been marked by an increased interest in the study of human stem cells: their cultivation in vitro, determination of their ability to divide and specialize, application in clinical medicine for the treatment of certain fatal diseases, such as solid tumors, acute and chronic leukemia, aplastic anemia, hereditary metabolic disorders and the immune system, autoimmune diseases, diabetes mellitus, strokes, spinal cord injuries, myocardial pathology and others. The source of stem cells can be bone marrow, stimulated peripheral hematopoietic cells, adipose tissue, epithelial cells of the nasopharyngeal mucosa in the "olfactory epithelium", placental [umbilical] blood, placenta. Obtaining stem cells from the first four sources is somewhat difficult due to the need for surgical intervention and the use of anesthesia. Umbilical cord blood [PC] is collected without risk to the newborn and his mother. Therefore, in the article we want to dwell in detail on one of the stages of preclinical use of placental blood, share our experience in harvesting, laboratory testing and storage of stem cells.

The purpose of the study is to analyze laboratory screening for the presence of infectious agents in the procurement of cord blood for public use. We examined 586 donor PC samples by immuno-enzyme analysis in the first 24 hours after delivery for the presence of the following serological markers: NiѴ-1 and-2 Ag/Ab, Anti-HBcor, HBS-Ag, Anti-HCV, Anti-CMV, Anti-Toxoplasma gondii, Anti-HSV-1 and -2, RW, bacteriological examination of PC samples was also carried out. It was found that 73 [12.5%] PC samples were disposed of due to infectious danger. Of these, a positive analysis for HBs-Ag was detected in 3 samples [0.5%]; Anti-HCV - in 5 samples [0.9%]; RW — in 6 samples [1%]; Anti-HBcor - in 59 samples [1O%]. The percentage of germination of microbial contaminants was 0.1%. Thus, in order to reduce the percentage of PC samples disposal, an Anti-HBcor analysis should be included in the mandatory laboratory screening of female PC donors. The use of closed methods of blood sampling and processing, as well as ready-made universal media, allows virtually eliminating the possibility of contamination of PC samples with aerial flora.

Over the past two decades, umbilical cord blood has been recognized as a full-fledged and equal source of hematopoietic stem cells along with bone marrow and peripheral blood. The first transplantation of umbilical cord blood cells from sibling, carried out in 1988 to a child with Fanconi anemia, allowed not only to expand the indications for transplantation, but also deepened our knowledge of the basics of hematopoiesis and the principles of the formation of posttransplantation immunity. An important step was the creation of cord blood banks around the world, which increased the likelihood of finding a suitable donor, and, consequently, had a positive effect on transplant activity. The advantages of cord blood cells are the relative ease of obtaining, high proliferative potential and the "naivety" of the immune system of the transplant. The problems are the small volume and low cellularity of the obtained material, which leads to a delayed recovery of hematopoiesis after transplantation, significantly increases the duration of the patient's stay in the hospital and the need for transfusion of blood products. Attempts are being made to overcome adverse factors by simultaneous transplantation of mesenchymal cells and umbilical cord blood or sequential transplantation of several umbilical cord blood samples from different donors. We present a description of a case of sequential transplantation of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic cells and peripheral stem cells from a related partially compatible donor to a patient with stage IV neuroblastoma.

The article presents up-to-date data on the state of the umbilical cord blood preservation service in Ukraine.