Effect of anti-coagulant choice on cord blood processing results

Background aims: Cord blood (CB) is a valuable source of stem cells for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and regenerative medicine applications. CB collection commonly uses either lyophilized heparin (LH; 500 units) or liquid citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD; 35 mL) as an anti-coagulant, but it is unclear if the choice of anti-coagulant can affect CB quality. Methods: CB was collected in either LH or CPD bags with a simulated transit period of 24 h, followed by processing (with the use of the automated, high-throughput AutoXpress Platform [AXP]). CB characteristics were assessed at collection (time 0 h) and then again after processing at time 24 h. Results: After AXP processing, samples collected and held in LH had significantly greater viable total nucleated cells (TNC) TNC and mononuclear cells (MNC) MNC. CD34 recoveries were not statistically different at 24 h, but there was a trend for samples collected and held in CPD to contain more colony-forming units. Conclusions: CB processing using the AXP methodology appears to be equivalent with either LH or CPD anti-coagulants.