Novel Sources of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
Tech ID: 30298 / UC Case 2018-470-0
SUMMARY
UCLA researchers in the Department of Urology have developed a novel method of collecting hematopoietic stem cells from deceased donors that preserves the donor body and organs for further donations.
BACKGROUND
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is growing into a multi-billion-dollar market worldwide. While harvesting HSCs from live patients are routinely practiced, there’s enormous potential in harvesting HSCs from deceased donors for medical and research purposes. Current approaches to harvesting HSCs from deceased donors involve resecting the cadaver, removing bone fragments and tissues using highly specialized process and aspirating bone marrows. These processes are difficult to perform, and cause damages to cadaver and organs that can be donated.
INNOVATION
UCLA researchers have developed a novel method of harvesting HSCs from deceased donors. This method involves using mobilizing agents to bring HSCs into the circulation of the deceased donor, then collecting peripheral blood HSCs from the donor via apheresis. If no peripheral blood HSCs are available, bone marrow can be collected for HSC harvesting. This approach does not harm the donor or damage organs that can be donated.
APPLICATIONS
Immune tolerance protocols for organ recipients
Vascularized composite allografts
Hematological malignancies
Gene therapy trials for hemoglobinopathis
Targeted T cell therapies
Storage for nuclear or radiation disasters
Use for inducible pluripotent stem cells
Use for CRISPR engineered HSCs
Use for research into biology and translational studies of HSCs
ADVANTAGES
Does not harm the deceased
Does not damage organs that can be donated
Does not require highly specialized processes
PATENT STATUS
Patent Pending