Heparinized cadaveric organ donors (HCOD) - A potential source of hematopoietic cells for transplantation and gene therapy

Background. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) from unrelated HLA-matched hepar inized cadaveric organ donors (HCOD) are a new potential source of cells fo r transplantation and gene therapy. In addition, these cells could also be used as adjuvant therapy to increase microchimerism and graft tolerance aft er transplantations of various solid organs. Our purpose was to develop an efficient method for harvesting hematopoietic cells from HCODs, Methods. Bone marrow cells were harvested from pelvic bones and/or vertebra l bodies from 50 adult HCODs before or up to 3 hr after disconnecting the d onor from the respirator. Subsequently, we evaluated the hematological and gasometric parameters of aspirated marrow samples as well as the proliferat ive potential, viability, and expression of CD34 and AC133 antigens on thes e cells. Results. We noticed that up to 2-3 hr after disconnecting the donor from th e respirator bone marrow cavities do not clot and remain uninfected and tha t it is possible to aspirate bone marrow mononuclear cells in quantities su fficient to perform allotransplantation. Nevertheless, due to the developin g hypoxia and acidosis of the hematopoietic microenvironment the number and proliferative potential of CD34(+) and AC133(+) cells gradually decreases. Hence, to obtain viable early hematopoietic cells, bone marrow should be a spirated without delay; optimally before HCOD is disconnected from the resp irator or at the very latest 2 hr after organ harvest. Conclusions. Collectively, our results show that early hemopoietic cells ma y be efficiently harvested from HCOD in large quantities and used for resea rch and/or transplantation purposes. We postulate to create an internationa l network of banks in which hemopoietic stem cells from HCODs could be pres erved for therapeutic purposes.