The University of Iowa Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank has been in existence for over 2 years, and in that period of time, it has collected and stored more than 300 cord blood units. Most of these units have been obtained from Labor and Delivery Unit at UI Hospitals and Clinics. Informed consent is obtained from pregnant women usually during their second trimester.
The following are answers to common questions about the cord blood units:
Do I need to have my own IRB approval?
No, all you need to do to obtain these cells is to have a legitimate project and sign a user agreement. We have necessary IRB approval such that individual investigators do not require their own IRB approval to have access to these cells.
What blood components are contained within the cord units?
The cord units contain umbilical cord blood derived cells, including, but not limited to, hematopoietic stem cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, red cells, platelets, and serum.
What does it cost?
There is no cost to investigators. These cells are available to members of the University of Iowa research community for use in a wide array of research projects. There is no restriction as to the type of research that would be done on the cord blood with the exception that they can not be used for "cloning."
How is cord blood collected?
The cord blood is collected using a regular blood collection bag containing the anticoagulant CPD by the delivering physician or midwife. Usually an umbilical vein or artery is cannulated and blood is allowed to drip into the bag by gravity.
How are cells processed and frozen?
Processing the cord blood usually takes place within 24 hours and always prior to the 48-hour mark in order to ensure stem cell viability. Processing first involves adding Hetastarch to facilitate RBC sedimentation. The unit is centrifuged gently to sediment the RBCs. After draining the RBCs, the remaining plasma and nucleated cells (along with some red cells) are then centrifuged to separate the nucleated blood cells from the plasma. Excess plasma is removed and the final volume is transferred to a cryobag for freezing with 10% DMSO into our liquid nitrogen storage facility located on the 4th floor in the Holden Cancer Center Laboratory.
Can I get fresh cells?
Yes, you can but need to arrange this with our coordinator. Frozen cells can be obtained at any time. Fresh cord blood cells are not routinely processed, and therefore contain more blood and plasma than frozen units.
Other facts about cord blood:
- Average total nucleated cell counts on frozen products = 5.19 E+7/ml
- Average volume of frozen units = 15 ml.
- Average CD34+ cell count / unit = 3.2E+6 CD 34+ cells
- Total number of frozen cord units on hand = 232
- Viability frozen/thawed cells = 60 and 80%
- Functional data on CD34+ cells and lymphocytes available on request
- A limited number of frozen bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell units are also available.
For more information, contact
Fred Goldman MD, 319-356-7360, pager 2044
Current studies cord blood has been provided for:
- Antigen recognition by gamma/delta T cells
- Role of SET-domain containing histone methyltransferases in differentiation
- Effect of CpG ODN on B cell subsets
- Isolation of multipotent adult progenitor cells from cord blood.
- Role of VPAC1 in differentiation of megakaryocytes from human cord blood stem cells.
- Increased proliferation of megakaryocytes in vitro.
- Role of telomerase in hematopoiesis
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