Large-scale mobilization and isolation of CD34(+) cells from normal donors

We describe collection and purification of peripheral blood CD34(+) cells f rom volunteer, normal donors and allogeneic stem cell donors. A total of 98 aphereses were performed on 68 volunteer donors using peripheral venous ac cess, The mean number of nucleated cells collected was 4.6 x 10(10) which i ncluded 1,9 x 10(8) CD34(+) cells corresponding to 2.7 x 10(6) CD34(+) cell s/kg, The number of CD34(+) cells collected did not differ between males an d females but did correlate with the donor's weight and the total number of nucleated cells collected. The Nexell Isolex 300i cell separator was used to isolate CD34+ cells from 30 of the collections. A mean of 0.36% of the t otal cells was recovered and included 43 +/- 18% of the CD34(+) cells. CD34 (+) cells represented 85 +/- 11% of the recovered cells. The total number o f CD34(+) cells recovered was not influenced by the number of nucleated cel ls placed on the Isolex 300i, The percentage of CD34(+) cells recovered was not related to the number of CD34(+) cells placed on the Isolex 300i. The purity of the final product was influenced by the number of CD34(+) cells b ut not the total number of nucleated cells. An additional 38 CD34(+) cell i solations were performed on normal allogeneic stem cell donors with similar results. These observations further support the safety and feasibility of peripheral blood CD34(+) cell collection and purification.