Assessment of noncryopreserved stem cell viability (CD34+) at 4°C

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Stem cell transplantation is one of the mainstay treatment modality for many benign and malignant disorders. Long- and short-term storage of stem cell is a crucial step. Long-term storage is using temperature-controlled preservation with liquid or vapor nitrogen at − 196°C. Short-term storage at 4°C ± 2°C is done for those products, which are intended to be infused within a few days after the collection. The current study was done to assess the viability of noncryopreserved stem cells at 4°C up to 9 days. Methods: CD34 enumeration was done on day 0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 of the collection in 12 consecutive cases of stem cell harvest. Enumeration was done using ISHAGE protocol, and viability was measured using 7-AAD dye with “BD Stem kit” on single platform bead-based assay. Viability of the samples was compared at various time points and also with respect to their source (autologous versus allogeneic). The results were expressed as mean (range), and significance was calculated using Mann–Whitney test. Results: A total of seven allogeneic and five autologous products were included. All the autologous products are stable till 5th day when stored at 4°C ± 2°C with none of the product showing >15% viability loss. However, the allogeneic products are stable up to day 3 only. On day 5, most 29% of the allogeneic products were showing >15% loss of viability. Conclusions: Storage up to day 7 or 9 was associated with unacceptable loss of viability for both autologous and allogeneic products.

Keywords

• ishage
• stem cell
• viability