1997 年 64 巻 4 号 p. 307-313
Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is currently considered as a third source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation, following bone marrow and growth-factor-mobilized peripheral blood (MPB). To evaluate the potential benefits of UCB, we performed a comparative study of the properties of the stem cells in UCB and MPB samples. CD 34+ cell determination and CFU-GM colony assay showed a lower frequency of committed progenitors in UCB than in MPB. In contrast, a higher level of the CD 34+ CD 38- subset in UCB suggested that more primitive, multipotent progenitors are enriched in UCB than in MPB. Phenotypic analysis of UCB lymphocytes revealed a reduced level of T cell subsets, especially cytotoxic CD 8+ lymphocytes, which might minimize graft versus host disease in clinical practice. In conclusion, UCB is an attractive alternative source for stem cell trans-plantation, but ex vivo expansion of stem/progenitor cells could be effective for attaining rapid and safer hemopoietic reconstitution. (J Nippon Med Sch 1997 ; 64: 307-313)
