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.
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.
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.
This protocol was approved by the South Eastern Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee and ratified by the University of New South Wales' 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 sterile instruments (scissors, tweezers) for this procedure.
1. Cord Blood Cell Preparation and Isolation of CD34+ Cells
2. Purity Check of Isolated CD34+ Cells
3. Megakaryocyte Differentiation
4. Proplatelet Counting, Platelet Enumeration, and Platelet Activation
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% (Figure 1B). MK (defined as CD41+ cells) are observed early in serum-free CD34+ cell cultures in the presence of rhTPO. On day 7, the percentage of mature MK (CD41+ and CD42a+ cells) is usually 30 – 40% (Figure 1C). The highest levels of CD41+ and CD42a+ double positive cells (90 – 99%) are observed between days 10 and 12 of differentiation (Figure 1C). The variability observed depends mainly on the cord blood source and on the purity of the CD34+/CD45+ cells isolated in step 1.17. The yield of mature MK on day 10 ranges from 5 – 10 per input CD34+ cell. Mature MK (CD41+/CD42b+) observed under fluorescent microscopy are shown in Figure 2A. Cultured MK appear as large, usually multinucleated cells (Figure 2A, arrowheads). MK's granular content was determined by vWf (green) and CD62p (p-selectin, red) staining (Figure 2B). The ploidy distribution observed in cultured MKs is shown in Figure 2C.
Proplatelets are long, beaded fibers or filaments that extend from the MK body. Proplatelets can be several hundred micrometers long16 and contain branches and distended regions. A characteristic proplatelet-bearing MK is illustrated in Figure 2D. The percentage of proplatelet-bearing MK (pbMK) was 1.3 ± 0.17%.
Platelets can be analyzed and counted as described in the protocol. As shown in Figure 3B, most platelets in the cell culture supernatant fall within the analytical gate of peripheral blood platelets and are positive for the platelet marker CD41 (Figure 3B). The platelet yield from this method ranges from 19 to 42 platelets per MK. Platelets produced in culture can be activated by platelet agonists such as ADP as determined by increased binding of the activation-specific PAC1 monoclonal antibody (Figure 3C).
Figure 1: Flow cytometry plots of CD34+ cell isolation and MK differentiation in culture. (A) Mononuclear cells (gated as shown in the left panel) purified from human cord blood (step 1.8) were stained with anti-CD34-PE antibody to determine the percentage of the CD34+ cells in the sample (1.3%, right panel). (B) After separation, the positive fraction (step 1.17) was stained with anti-CD34-PE and anti-CD45 PerCP antibodies. The enriched CD34+ population is indicated in the figure (98.1%, right panel, upper right quadrant). (C) Phenotypic analysis of MK differentiated in vitro from CD34+ cells for 7 days or 11 days were stained with anti-CD41 and anti-CD42a antibodies. Mature MK are positive for both CD41+ and CD42a+ (upper right quadrant). Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 2: MK staining, ploidy and proplatelet formation in vitro. (A) Fluorescent images of day 11 MK stained with anti-CD41-PE and CD42b-APC antibodies. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Yellow arrowhead indicates multi-nuclear MKs. Scale bar, 30 µm. (B) Fluorescent images of day 14 MK stained with anti vWf (green), anti CD62p (red) and anti-CD42b-APC (magenta) antibodies. Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar, 15 µm (C) Representative gating strategy showing the ploidy distribution of CD41+ events. The graph (lower panel) shows the observed distribution of ploidy classes (n = 4), error bars, SD. (D) The characteristic morphology of proplatelet-bearing MK is shown. The MK body is indicated by the arrow. The long cytoplasmic processes extending from the MK (proplatelets) are indicated by arrowheads. It may be unclear in some areas/fields of view whether one or two MK are producing these proplatelet extensions. This should be counted as one proplatelet-bearing MK. Images taken with an inverted microscope, 10X objective. Scale Bar, 50 µm. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
Figure 3: Abundance of platelets produced in vitro and platelet activation. (A) Human platelets from platelet-rich plasma were used to set the analytical gate using log scale for forward and side scatter (left panel). The right panel shows cells from MK cultures. Platelets produced in vitro are observed in the analytical gate defined for human platelets. Cells and counting beads are indicated in the figure. Plt, platelet (B) Platelets produced in vitro were stained with anti-CD41 antibody. Human platelets from platelet-rich plasma were used to set the analytical gate using log scale for forward and side scatter and to compare the profile within the CD41-FITC gate. C-FITC, FITC isotype control (C) Platelet activation following treatment by ADP to a final concentration of 20 µM. Human platelets from platelet-rich plasma were used as control (upper panels). Platelets produced in culture are shown in the lower panels. Binding of PAC1 antibody indicates platelet activation. C-FITC, FITC isotype control. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.
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+ cell proliferation. However, this expansion results in reduced MK purity in the culture14. The method presented here, using serum-free media and rhTPO alone, does not allow significant expansion of the progenitor cells, but permits unilineage megakaryocytic proliferation and differentiation and consistent production of MK (90 – 99% CD41+CD42a+ double positive cells) without contamination from other lineages. The culture period for MK formation is 10 to 12 days without the need for supporting stromal or feeder cells. This compares favorably with other methods that require larger culture periods (over 20 days)17,18. The platelet yield from the present protocol is 19 – 42 platelets per MK or up to 420 platelets per input CD34+ cell. Most protocols result in lower platelet yields18,19.
Although yield is high relative to other methods, large sources of CD34 cells are needed to produce sufficient numbers of platelets for therapeutic use. Cord blood MK mature at a lower rate, are generally smaller (of lower ploidy classes), and have reduced platelet production capacity20. Nevertheless, fresh UCB is generally a more accessible resource and this represents a significant advantage for researchers. Other methods that can produce higher yields of MK and platelets with therapeutic aims have also been described13,17.
There are some sources of variability to consider: A) Quality of the cord blood unit. Only cord blood collected within 24 h should be used as a source of CD34+ cells. Cord blood units containing clots should also be discarded. B) Percentage of CD34+ cells in the mononuclear cell fraction (step 1.8): using mononuclear cell fractions with less than 0.3% CD34+ cells may result in low yields of relatively low purity CD34+ cells. These cells are not recommended for MK differentiation. It is essential to let the liquid drain by gravity force only (e.g., steps 1.13, 1.14, 1.16). In case of column blockage, it is recommended to remove the column from the magnet, push the cells gently with the syringe plunger into a new tube, and reload on a new equilibrated column.
A number of conditions affect platelet number and function. Thrombocytopenia refers to a marked decline in platelet numbers that can lead to external and internal bleeding. Auto-immune conditions such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) are well known causes of thrombocytopenia21,22. Other immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis can also have detrimental effects on platelets. Non-immune causes of thrombocytopenia include cancer treatment, severe trauma, infections, bone marrow failure, and surgery. Due to the high utilization of platelets by patients undergoing chemotherapy or receiving stem cell transplants, platelet transfusion has steadily increased over the past decades. MK and platelet research will undoubtedly assist in the development of large scale platelet production for clinical applications. Availability of in vitro produced functional platelets would prevent platelet shortages and allow platelet transfusions into refractory patients. MK differentiation and platelet production in vitro are critical tools for the study and understanding of both pathological conditions and the physiological mechanisms that lead to platelet formation.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
The authors acknowledge the support of the Australian Health and Medical Research Council (project grant 1012409 linked to BHC).
Cell Culture Reagents | |||
Recombinant Human TPO | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-094-013 | |
StemSpan SFEM II | Stem Cell Technologies | 9605 | Serum-free media for CD34+ cells |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
CD34 Isolation Reagents | |||
CD34 MicroBead kit ultrapure | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-100-453 | 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). |
Lymphoprep | Alere Technologies | 1114545 | Lymphocyte separation media (density 1.077 g/mL) |
Sterile separation buffer (SB) | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-091-221 | 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. |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
Flow Cytometry and Cell Staining Reagents | |||
PE Mouse anti-Human CD34 | BD Biosciences | 340669 | Clone 8G12. This can be used for CD34 purity check. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution. |
PerCP mouse anti-human CD45 | BD Biosciences | 347464 | 1:10 dilution |
PerCP isotype control | BD Biosciences | 349044 | 1:10 dilution |
FITC Mouse anti-Human CD41a | BD Biosciences | 340929 | Final antibody concentration 1:5 dilution. |
APC Mouse anti-Human CD42b | BD Biosciences | 551061 | 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. |
Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse anti-Human CD42a | AbD Serotec | MCA1227A647T | Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Final antibody concentration 1:10 dilution. |
Alexa Fluor 647 Mouse Negative Control | AbD Serotec | MCA928A647 | Currently distributed by Bio-Rad. Isotype control antibody |
Anti von Willebrand factor rabbit polyclonal | Abcam | AB6994 | 1:200 dilution |
V450 mouse anti-humna CD41a | BD Biosciences | 58425 | 1: 20 dilution |
V450 isotype control | BD Biosciences | 580373 | 1:20 dilution |
PAC1-FITC antibody | BD Biosciences | 340507 | 1:10 dilution |
Anti CD62p mouse monoclonal | Abcam | AB6632 | 1:200 dilution |
Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti rabbit IgG | Invitrogen | A11008 | 1:100 dilution |
Alexa Fluor 594 goat anti mouse IgG | Invitrogen | A11020 | 1:100 dilution |
Ig Isotype Control cocktail-C | BD Biosciences | 558659 | Isotype control antibody |
Propidium iodide | Sigma Aldrich | P4864 | |
CountBright Absolute Counting Beads | Molecular Probes, Invitrogen | C36950 | Counting beads |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
Materials | |||
LS columns | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-042-401 | Smaller and larger columns are also commercially available |
MidiMACS Separator magnet | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-042-302 | |
MACS MultiStand | Miltenyi Biotec | 130-042-303 | |
Falcon 5mL round bottom polypropylene FACS tubes, with Snap Cap, Sterile | In Vitro technologies | 352063 | |
Glass slides | Menzel-Glaser | J3800AMNZ | |
Mounting media with DAPI | Vector Laboratories | H-1200 | Antifade mounting medium with DAPI |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
Equipment | |||
Inverted microscope | Leica | DMIRB inverted microscope | |
Fluorescent microscope | Zeiss | Vert.A1 | |
Cell analyser | BD Biosciences | FACS Canto II | |
Cytospin centrifuge | ThermoScientific | Cytospin 4 | |
Name | Company | Catalog Number | コメント |
Software | |||
Cell analyser software | BD Biosciences | FACS Diva Software | |
Single cell analysis software | Tree Star | FlowJo | |
Fluorescent microscope software | Zeiss | Zen 2 blue edition |