Development of ex-vivo expanded megakaryocyte progenitors for platelet recovery

Context Megakaryocytes (MKs) can be produced using umbilical cord mononuclear cells and CD34 cells in the same cocktail media. Aim The aim of this study was to produce human MKs and platelets through ex-vivo culturing of human cord blood. Patients and methods Cord blood samples were collected under sterile conditions, separated using Ficoll–Hypaque technique for mononuclear separation, followed by magnetic separation for CD34^+ cells; both types of cells were cultured in the same cocktail media and followed up for 14 days. This prospective ex-vivo study was conducted to determine the differentiation potential of haematopoietic stem cells isolated from cord blood towards megakeryopoiesis lineage. Cord blood was collected in the obstetric emergency room of Suez Canal University Hospital. Stem cell separation and induction of megakeryopoiesis were carried out in the Tissue Culture Unit, Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University. Results Both types of cells showed success towards megakaryopoiesis; however, mononuclear cells showed better results compared with CD34 cells.Conclusion Umbilical cord stem cell culture could be a new easy method for ex-vivo MK progenitor production and final platelet recovery. This success would encourage further studies in ex-vivo megakeryopoiesis and in using it in different medical aspects.