RESULTS 

Evaluating Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell function using colony-forming unit assays (CFUs) in experiment 13. (A) Comparing total colonies between Input, 5% oxygen and 21% oxygen. (B) Comparing total BFU-E's between input and output (5% oxygen & 21% oxygen) groups. (C) Comparing total CFU-GEMMs between input and output (5% oxygen & 21% oxygen) groups. (D) Comparing total CFU-GMs between input and output (5% oxygen & 21% oxygen) groups. 

CONCLUSIONS

• All conditions resulted in an increase in the number of nucleated cells compared to input after 7 days of expansion 

• By phenotype (Flow Cytometry) 

  • Significant increases of HSC and Multipotent Progenitor (MPP) numbers compared to input only when cultured on aECM

  • Significant increase in Multilymphoid Progenitor (MLP) numbers in all culture conditions when compared to input 

  • Significant increase in Common Myeloid Progenitor (CMP) numbers when cultured on either ECM condition compared to input 

  • No changes to Granulocyte-Monocyte Progenitor (GMP) numbers in any conditions 

• There were no significant functional differences overall in colony formation other than those associated with an increased proportion of those cells in culture 

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

• Examine the effect of ECM on a HSPC of human bone marrow samples because HSCs from cord blood are more fetal-like compared to those found in bone marrow or peripheral blood, and bone marrow samples may react differently 

• Examine the effect of ECM on a co-culture system of HSPCs and MSCs on our ECM plates to examine the crosstalk between these two populations.

• Investigate if the myeloid skewing by HSPCs is influenced by alterations in CCN1 within the ECM by using genetically engineered young ECM that lacks CCN1 and compare it with aged ECM that has CCN1 reintroduced.