The authors acknowledge the support of the Australian Health and Medical Research Council (project grant 1012409 linked to BHC).

This protocol was approved by the South Eastern Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee and ratified by the University of New South Wales&#39; Human Research Ethics Committee. Umbilical cord blood obtained from healthy donors was provided by the Sydney Cord Blood Bank (Sydney, NSW, Australia). Volumes of approximately 100 mL were used for this procedure.
NOTE: Work in a Class II biosafety cabinet using aseptic technique. Decontaminate the exterior of the cord blood bag with 70% ethanol. Use ste...

<ol>
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A., Pineault, N., Sun, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+Vitro+Megakaryocyte+Production+and+Platelet+Biogenesis:+State+of+the+Art.">In Vitro Megakaryocyte Production and Platelet Biogenesis: State of the Art.</a> Transfus. Med. Rev. 24 (1), 33-43 (2010).</li><li>Choi, E., Nichol, J. L., Hokom, M. M., Hornkohl, A. C., Hunt, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelets+generated+in+vitro+from+proplatelet-displaying+human+megakaryocytes+are+functional.">Platelets generated in vitro from proplatelet-displaying human megakaryocytes are functional.</a> Blood. 85 (2), 402-413 (1995).</li><li>Perdomo, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+monopartite+sequence+is+essential+for+p45+NF-E2+nuclear+translocation,+transcriptional+activity+and+platelet+production.">A monopartite sequence is essential for p45 NF-E2 nuclear translocation, transcriptional activity and platelet production.</a> J Thromb Haemost. 8 (11), 2542-2553 (2010).</li><li>Shim, M. H., Hoover, A., Blake, N., Drachman, J. G., Reems, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gene+expression+profile+of+primary+human+CD34+CD38lo+cells+differentiating+along+the+megakaryocyte+lineage.">Gene expression profile of primary human CD34+CD38lo cells differentiating along the megakaryocyte lineage.</a> Exp Hematol. 32 (7), 638-648 (2004).</li><li>Feng, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Scalable+generation+of+universal+platelets+from+human+induced+pluripotent+stem+cells.">Scalable generation of universal platelets from human induced pluripotent stem cells.</a> Stem cell reports. 3 (5), 817-831 (2014).</li><li>Bruno, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+and+in+vivo+megakaryocyte+differentiation+of+fresh+and+ex-vivo+expanded+cord+blood+cells:+rapid+and+transient+megakaryocyte+reconstitution.">In vitro and in vivo megakaryocyte differentiation of fresh and ex-vivo expanded cord blood cells: rapid and transient megakaryocyte reconstitution.</a> Haematologica. 88 (4), 379-387 (2003).</li><li>Iraqi, M., Perdomo, J., Yan, F., Choi, P. Y. I., Chong, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Immune+thrombocytopenia:+antiplatelet+autoantibodies+inhibit+proplatelet+formation+by+megakaryocytes+and+impair+platelet+production+in+vitro.">Immune thrombocytopenia: antiplatelet autoantibodies inhibit proplatelet formation by megakaryocytes and impair platelet production in vitro.</a> Haematologica. 100 (5), 623-632 (2015).</li><li>Lev, P. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impaired+proplatelet+formation+in+immune+thrombocytopenia:+a+novel+mechanism+contributing+to+decreased+platelet+count.">Impaired proplatelet formation in immune thrombocytopenia: a novel mechanism contributing to decreased platelet count.</a> Br. J. Haematol. 165 (6), 854-864 (2014).</li><li>Gandhi, M. J., Drachman, J. G., Reems, J. A., Thorning, D., Lannutti, B. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+strategy+for+generating+platelet-like+fragments+from+megakaryocytic+cell+lines+and+human+progenitor+cells.">A novel strategy for generating platelet-like fragments from megakaryocytic cell lines and human progenitor cells.</a> Blood Cells Mol. Dis. 35 (1), 70-73 (2005).</li><li>Lu, S. -. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Platelets+generated+from+human+embryonic+stem+cells+are+functional+in+vitro+and+in+the+microcirculation+of+living+mice.">Platelets generated from human embryonic stem cells are functional in vitro and in the microcirculation of living mice.</a> Cell Res. 21 (3), 530-545 (2011).</li><li>Moreau, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Large-scale+production+of+megakaryocytes+from+human+pluripotent+stem+cells+by+chemically+defined+forward+programming.">Large-scale production of megakaryocytes from human pluripotent stem cells by chemically defined forward programming.</a> Nature Commun. 7, 11208 (2016).</li><li>De Bruyn, C., Delforge, A., Martiat, P., Bron, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ex+vivo+expansion+of+megakaryocyte+progenitor+cells:+cord+blood+versus+mobilized+peripheral+blood.">Ex vivo expansion of megakaryocyte progenitor cells: cord blood versus mobilized peripheral blood.</a> Stem Cells Dev. 14 (4), 415-424 (2005).</li><li>Nimgaonkar, M. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+unique+population+of+CD34++cells+in+cord+blood.">A unique population of CD34+ cells in cord blood.</a> Stem cells. 13 (2), 158-166 (1995).</li><li>Italiano, J. E., Patel-Hett, S., Hartwig, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanics+of+proplatelet+elaboration.">Mechanics of proplatelet elaboration.</a> J Thromb Haemost. 5, 18-23 (2007).</li><li>Matsunaga, T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ex+vivo+large-scale+generation+of+human+platelets+from+cord+blood+CD34++cells.">Ex vivo large-scale generation of human platelets from cord blood CD34+ cells.</a> Stem cells. 24 (12), 2877-2887 (2006).</li><li>Sullenbarger, B., Bahng, J. H., Gruner, R., Kotov, N., Lasky, L. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prolonged+continuous+in+vitro+human+platelet+production+using+three-dimensional+scaffolds.">Prolonged continuous in vitro human platelet production using three-dimensional scaffolds.</a> Exp Hematol. 37 (1), 101-110 (2009).</li><li>Proulx, C., Boyer, L., Hurnanen, D. R., Lemieux, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preferential+ex+vivo+expansion+of+megakaryocytes+from+human+cord+blood+CD34+-enriched+cells+in+the+presence+of+thrombopoietin+and+limiting+amounts+of+stem+cell+factor+and+Flt-3+ligand.">Preferential ex vivo expansion of megakaryocytes from human cord blood CD34+-enriched cells in the presence of thrombopoietin and limiting amounts of stem cell factor and Flt-3 ligand.</a> J. Hematother. Stem Cell Res. 12 (2), 179-188 (2003).</li><li>Bornstein, R., Garcia-Vela, J., Gilsanz, F., Auray, C., Cales, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cord+blood+megakaryocytes+do+not+complete+maturation,+as+indicated+by+impaired+establishment+of+endomitosis+and+low+expression+of+G1/S+cyclins+upon+thrombopoietin-induced+differentiation.">Cord blood megakaryocytes do not complete maturation, as indicated by impaired establishment of endomitosis and low expression of G1/S cyclins upon thrombopoietin-induced differentiation.</a> Br. J. Haematol. 114 (2), 458-465 (2001).</li><li>Chong, B. H., Choi, P. Y. I., Khachigian, L., Perdomo, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drug-induced+Immune+Thrombocytopenia.">Drug-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia.</a> Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 27 (3), (2013).</li><li>Stasi, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Idiopathic+thrombocytopenic+purpura:+Current+concepts+in+pathophysiology+and+management.">Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: Current concepts in pathophysiology and management.</a> Thromb Haemost. 99 (1), 4-13 (2008).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The protocol described here is suitable for consistent production of MK and platelets in culture from umbilical cord blood. These cells can be used to study various processes such as the effect of drugs or biological activities on MK proliferation, differentiation, proplatelet formation, and platelet production.
A variety of culture media and cytokine combinations have been presented in the literature. Addition of cytokines such as stem cell factor, Flt-3 ligand, IL-3, and IL-6 supports CD34<s...

Isolation of adequate numbers of primary human megakaryocytes (MK) for regular laboratory use is not feasible due to their low frequency in the bone marrow, where they account for ~0.01% of nucleated cells1. A convenient alternative is the ex vivo expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the presence of specific growth factors. A number of cytokines including stem cell factor (SCF; c-kit ligand) and interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-11 have been employed in culture systems to produce MKs. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the most effective growth and differentiation factor for megakaryocytic cultures and is effective alone or with other cytokines, such as SCF and IL-32. TPO can act on stem cell populations to result in both the proliferation and maturation of MKs2.
MK produce platelets from cytoplasmic protrusions called proplatelets and, in vivo, approximately 1 x 1011 platelets are formed daily to sustain platelet counts of 150 - 400 x 109/L. Platelet production in vitro is up to 1000-fold lower than the in vivo estimates3, and this has given rise to numerous culture conditions using CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells to improve MK and platelet production in vitro. The initial source of CD34+ cells used for MK differentiation was human peripheral blood4. Other cell sources include bone marrow5,6, embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells (ESC/iPSC)7, and umbilical cord blood (UCB)8,9,10. Human bone marrow CD34+ 11 and mouse lineage negative bone marrow cells5 produce MK and platelets in vitro; nevertheless, the lack of availability of human bone marrow limits its use as a source of CD34+ cells. In contrast, ESC and iPSC represent an unlimited source of cells for in vitro platelet production. Platelet production from these cells requires feeder cells such as murine OP9 cells and longer culture periods. Platelets derived in feeder-free conditions appear to be less functional12. iPSC-derived platelets are likely to be of use in clinical settings since they can be expanded to a large scale. This process requires lentiviral-mediated transduction of transcription factors and long-term cell culture13.
UCB is an accessible source of CD34+ cells that can be readily used in research settings. TPO alone can promote differentiation of cord blood-derived CD34+ cells and this gives rise to highly pure, mature MKs without the need for serum supplementation or co-culture with feeder cells. Other cytokines such as SCF may decrease differentiation from UCB CD34+ cells, while Flt-3 ligand and IL-11 promote the production of immature megakaryocytes14. This protocol describes the production of highly pure MK cultures from cord blood CD34+ cells in serum-free conditions.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Culture Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Human TPO</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-094-013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>StemSpan SFEM II</td>
			<td>Stem Cell Technologies</td>
			<td>9605</td>
			<td>Serum-free media for CD34+ cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD34 Isolation Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CD34 MicroBead kit ultrapure</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-100-453</td>
			<td>This kit includes the FcR human IgG blocking reagent and CD34 microbeads. These beads contain the anti-CD34 antibody clone QBEND/10. Use a different anti-CD34 clone for purity check (e.g. clone 8G12).</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lymphoprep</td>
			<td>Alere Technologies</td>
			<td>1114545</td>
			<td>Lymphocyte separation media (density 1.077 g/mL)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile separation buffer (SB)</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-091-221</td>
			<td>This buffer contains phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2 containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin and 2 mM EDTA. It can be prepared using sterile, cell culture grade components. De-gas before use because air bubbles can block the column.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flow Cytometry and Cell Staining Reagents</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PE Mouse anti-Human CD34</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340669</td>
			<td>Clone 8G12. This can be used for CD34 purity check. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCP mouse anti-human CD45</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>347464</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PerCP isotype control</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>349044</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FITC Mouse anti-Human CD41a</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340929</td>
			<td>Final antibody concentration 1:5 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>APC Mouse anti-Human CD42b</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>551061</td>
			<td>This antibody can also be used to detect mature MK (the percentage of positive cells in usually lower than with anti CD42a). Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse anti-Human CD42a</td>
			<td>AbD Serotec</td>
			<td>MCA1227A647T</td>
			<td>Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse Negative Control</td>
			<td>AbD Serotec</td>
			<td>MCA928A647</td>
			<td>Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Isotype control antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti von Willebrand factor rabbit polyclonal</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB6994</td>
			<td>1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V450 mouse anti-humna CD41a</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>58425</td>
			<td>1: 20 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>V450 isotype control</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>580373</td>
			<td>1:20 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PAC1-FITC antibody</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>340507</td>
			<td>1:10 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti CD62p mouse monoclonal</td>
			<td>Abcam</td>
			<td>AB6632</td>
			<td>1:200 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti rabbit IgG</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11008</td>
			<td>1:100 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Alexa Fluor 594 goat anti mouse IgG</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>A11020</td>
			<td>1:100 dilution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ig Isotype Control cocktail-C</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>558659</td>
			<td>Isotype control antibody</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Propidium iodide</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P4864</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CountBright Absolute Counting Beads</td>
			<td>Molecular Probes, Invitrogen</td>
			<td>C36950</td>
			<td>Counting beads</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Materials</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LS columns</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-401</td>
			<td>Smaller and larger columns are also commercially available</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MidiMACS Separator magnet</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-302</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MACS MultiStand</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotec</td>
			<td>130-042-303</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Falcon 5mL round bottom polypropylene FACS tubes, with Snap Cap, Sterile</td>
			<td>In Vitro technologies</td>
			<td>352063</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glass slides</td>
			<td>Menzel-Glaser</td>
			<td>J3800AMNZ</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mounting media with DAPI</td>
			<td>Vector Laboratories</td>
			<td>H-1200</td>
			<td>Antifade mounting medium with DAPI</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Inverted microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>DMIRB inverted microscope</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent microscope</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Vert.A1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell analyser</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACS Canto II</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cytospin centrifuge</td>
			<td>ThermoScientific</td>
			<td>Cytospin 4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Software</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell analyser software</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACS Diva Software</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Single cell analysis software</td>
			<td>Tree Star</td>
			<td>FlowJo</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescent microscope software</td>
			<td>Zeiss</td>
			<td>Zen 2 blue edition</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet formation from human cord blood-derived cd34+ cells

Platelet production occurs principally in the bone marrow in a process known as thrombopoiesis. During thrombopoiesis, hematopoietic progenitor cells differentiate to form platelet precursors called megakaryocytes, which terminally differentiate to release platelets from long cytoplasmic processes termed proplatelets. Megakaryocytes are rare cells confined to the bone marrow and are therefore difficult to harvest in sufficient numbers for laboratory use. Efficient production of human megakaryocytes can be achieved in vitro by culturing CD34+ cells under suitable conditions. The protocol detailed here describes isolation of CD34+ cells by magnetic cell sorting from umbilical cord blood samples. The necessary steps to produce highly pure, mature megakaryocytes under serum-free conditions are described. Details of phenotypic analysis of megakaryocyte differentiation and determination of proplatelet formation and platelet production are also provided. Effectors that influence megakaryocyte differentiation and/or proplatelet formation, such as anti-platelet antibodies or thrombopoietin mimetics, can be added to cultured cells to examine biological function.

This protocol allows the preparation of highly pure MK cultures from cord blood-derived CD34+ cells. The percentage of CD34+ cells in cord blood is approximately 1.3%15 (Figure 1A) and the total number of mononuclear cells (step 1.8) ranges from 90 - 300 x 106 per UCB unit. The purity of CD34+/CD45+ cells after isolation ranges from 90 to 99%&#160;(Figure 1B). MK (defined a...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells at JoVE.com

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

A highly pure population of megakaryocytes can be obtained from cord blood-derived CD34+ cells. A method for CD34+ cell isolation and megakaryocyte differentiation is described here.

Megakaryocyte Differentiation and Platelet Formation from Human Cord Blood-derived CD34+ Cells

Platelet production occurs principally in the bone marrow in a process known as thrombopoiesis. During thrombopoiesis, hematopoietic progenitor cells ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to use human cord blood samples to isolate pure CD34-positive cells to study the effects of specific drugs of interest on megakaryocyte differentiation, proplatelet formation, and platelet production. This method can help answer key questions on the megakaryocyte and platelet field, such as what are the effects of a specific treatments on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production and function. The main advantage of this technique is that it provides a method for the consistent isolation of viable CD34-positive cells from fresh umbilical cord blood.Through this method can provide insight into megakaryopoiesis, other cell types such as lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and macrophages, can also be studied. Begin by adding 10 milliliters of separation buffer into 150 milliliter conical tube per 10 milliliters of cord blood. Using an 18 gauge blunt needle mounted on a 10 milliliter syringe, transfer 10 milliliters of blood into each tube, followed by the addition of 15 milliliters of lymphocyte separation medium to the bottom of each tube.Separate the cells by density gradient centrifugation, then at the end of the spin, carefully collect five to 10 milliliters of mononuclear cell containing buffy coat layer into one new tube per sample. Bring the total volume in each tube up to 50 milliliters with a fresh separation buffer and centrifuge the cells again. Re-suspend the pellets in five to 10 milliliters of fresh separation buffer and pool the cell samples.Adjust the volume to 50 milliliters with fresh separation buffer for counting and set aside 100 microliters of cells to determine the percentage of CD34 positive cells by flow cytometry. Centrifuge the cells again and re-suspend the pellet in 300 microliters of separation buffer, 100 microliters of FC receptor human IgG blocking reagent, and 100 microliters of CD34 magnetic beads per one times 10 to the eighth cells. Mix the cells gently before placing them at four degrees Celsius for a 30 to 40 minute incubation.During the incubation, place an appropriately sized magnetic bead separation column into the corresponding magnetic holder and wash the column with three milliliters of separation buffer. At the end of the incubation, remove the unbound beads by centrifugation in five to 10 milliliters of separation buffer and re-suspend the magnetic bead and cell pellet in 1.5 milliliters of fresh separation buffer. Load the labeled cells onto the column and collect the unlabeled flow through in a 15 milliliter collection tube.Load the effluent back onto the column and collect the second round of flow through into the same collection tube. Then wash the column three times with three milliliters of separation buffer and remove the column from the magnet. Using the column plunger, gradually flush two milliliters of separation buffer through the column into a new 15 milliliter tube and return the column to the magnet.Load the flushed cells back onto the column. Collect the flow through and wash the column with two milliliters of separation buffer as just demonstrated. After removing the column from the magnet, flush the column with two milliliters of fresh separation buffer to collect the CD34-positive cell fraction as just demonstrated, and collect the CD34-positive cells by centrifugation.Then resuspend the pellet in serum-free medium for CD34-positive cells. For megakaryocyte differentiation, seed five x 10 to the fifth CD34-positive cells per milliliter in 2 milliliters of serum-free medium, supplemented with recombinant human thrombopoietin per well in a 12-well plate for their incubation at 37 degrees Celsius, and 5%carbon dioxide, in a humidified atmosphere. At the appropriate differentiation monitoring time points, harvest the cells from two to three wells per time point without disturbing the cells in the other wells, and stain the collected cells with anti-CD41, and anti-CD42a antibodies to determine the percentage of mature megakaryocytes within the cultures.For microscopic visualization at the cell surface markers, wash the harvested cells in 1 milliliter of separation buffer, and resuspend the pellet in 100 microliters of fresh buffer. Use a cytospin to seed the cells onto a glass slide, and fix the cells to the slide with a 30-second submersion in methanol. After air drying, label the cells with 20 microliters of DAPI-supplemented mounting medium, and cover the cells with a cover slip for visualization by fluorescent microscopy.To count the proplatelets, harvest the cells at day eight or nine of differentiation, and seed the collected cells at one x 10 to the fourth cells per 200 microliters of fresh serum-free medium, supplemented with recombinant human thrombopoietin per well in a 48-well plate. After five days at 37 degrees Celsius and 5%carbon dioxide, count the number of proplatelet-bearing megakaryocytes per well on an inverted light microscope, using the 10 or 20 times objective. To analyze the platelet activation, on day 14 or 15 of culture, gently mix the cells with a Pasteur pipette, and collect 100 microliters of cells.Add 1 milliliter of Tyrode's buffer to the cells and pellet them by centrifugation. Collect the supernatant for centrifugation to pellet the platelet-sized particles, and resuspend the particles in 100 microliters of fresh Tyrode's buffer, then label the particles with anti-PAK1 antibody, activate them with the adenosine diphosphate for 20 minutes at room temperature, and analyze the percentage of PAK1 positive events by flow cytometry. The typical percentage of CD34-positive cells in cord blood is approximately 1.3%and the purity of the CD34-positive CD45-positive cells after isolation ranges from 90 to 99%CD41-positive megakaryocytes are observed early in serum-free CD34-positive cell cultures, with the percentage of mature CD41-positive CD42a-positive megakaryocytes reaching 30 to 40%by day 7, and the highest levels of double positive cells observed between days 10 and 12 of differentiation.Cultured megakaryocytes appear as large, usually multi-nucleated cells that express CD42b Von Willebrand factor, and P-selectin in their cytoplasm. At least three classes of ploidy are also commonly observed in these cell cultures. The percentage of megakaryocytes that bear proplatelets, long beaded fibers that extend from the megakaryocyte body, is typically around 1.3%Most platelets in the cell culture supernatant fall within the analytical gate of peripheral blood platelets, are positive for the CD41 platelet marker, can be activated by platelet agonists like adenosine diphosphate, as demonstrated by an increased binding of the activation specific PAK1 monoclonal antibody.After watching this video, you shall have a good understanding of how to isolate CD34-positive cells from cord blood. You shall also be able to set up megakaryocyte differentiation cultures, count proplatelets, and analyze platelets and megakaryocytes produced in vitro. Don't forget that working with human samples can be hazardous, and precautions, such as working in a class II biological safety cabinet should always be taken while performing this procedure.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

19.3K Views.  University of New South Wales. The overall goal of this procedure is to use human cord blood samples to isolate pure CD34-positive cells to study the effects of specific drugs of interest on megakaryocyte differentiation, proplatelet formation, and platelet production. This method can help answer key questions on the megakaryocyte and platelet field, such as what are the effects of a specific treatments on megakaryocyte differentiation and platelet production and function. The main advantage of this technique is that it pr...