In Vivo Osteo-organoid Approach for Harvesting Therapeutic Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) requires a sufficient number of therapeutic hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). To identify an adequate source of HSPCs, we developed an in vivo osteo-organoid by implanting scaffolds loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) into an internal muscle pouch near the femur in mice. After 12 weeks of implantation, we retrieved the in vivo osteo-organoids and conducted flow cytometry analysis on HPSCs, revealing a significant presence of HSPC subsets within the in vivo osteo-organoids.

We then established a sublethal model of hematopoietic/immune system injury in mice through radiation and performed hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) by injecting the extracted osteo-organoid-derived cells into the peripheral blood of radiated mice. The effect of hematopoietic recovery was evaluated through hematological, peripheral blood chimerism, and solid organ chimerism analyses. The results confirmed that in vivo osteo-organoid-derived cells can rapidly and efficiently reconstruct damaged peripheral and solid immune organs in irradiated mice. This approach holds potential as an alternative source of HSPCs for HSCT, offering benefits to a larger number of patients.