Differential activity of glycosaminoglycans on colony-forming cells from cord blood. Preliminary results

Heparin, heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate were evaluated for their p ossible role on proliferation and differentiation of hematological precurso r cells from cord blood. For these purposes, different concentrations of gl ycosaminoglycans were added to methyl-cellulose in colony assay performed w ith human cord blood derived cells. A volume of 10 mu g/ml heparin induces a significant increase of both granulocyte-monocyte and granulocyte colonie s, and a decrease of erythroid-colonies, more evident in the presence of 10 0 mu g/ml. Heparan sulfate-treatment induces a significant increase of all granulocyte-monocyte colonies derived from CFU-granulocyte-monocyte, CFU-gr anulocyte and CFU-monocyte precursors. A significant decrease of multipoten t cells was also observed. On the other hand, chondroitin sulfate induces a n increase of granulocyte-colonies and a decrease of erythroid-colonies. Gl ycosaminoglycans with different structure may be useful to increase the num ber of specific colonies. The selective and differential binding of glycosa minoglycans with several growth factors and the regulation of their activit ies is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.