Effect of recombinant Wnt protein on the Ex vivo expansion of umbilical cord blood hematopoietic cells.

• Main Author: Lim, Shy Ni.
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2010
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Genetics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/39393
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Wnt gene pathway has shown to play an important role in the maintenance and development of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) compartment. The low number of HSCs in each umbilical cord blood (UCB) unit has limited its use in transplantation for adult patients. Therefore, a new method to expand these cells is paramount to extent its use in adult patients. In this study, we explored the effect of recombinant Wnt3a and Wnt5a on the expansion of UCB cells. We found that recombinant Wnt3a and Wnt5a provides viability support, generating a significant expansion of phenotypically and functionally defined progenitors after 11 days. Based on these findings, we might have discovered the novel mechanism of recombinant Wnt3a and Wnt5a in the maintenance and expansion of umbilical cord blood progenitors via viability supporting effect.