Preparation and Characterization of SDF-1alpha Recombinant Adenovirus for ex vivo Expansion of Hematopoietic Stem Cells

ABSTRACT

Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1/CXCL12) is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in normal hematopoiesis. We previously reported that SDF-1alpha enhanced the survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in synergy with other cytokine such as GM-CSF, steel factor, or thrombopoietin. As adult stem cells are very rare, many investigators are trying to expand hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vitro. In this study, we constructed an adenoviral vector and produced high titer of recombinant adenoviruses directing robust expression of SDF-1alpha determined by ELISA. We also produced control empty adenoviruses and recombinant LacZ adenoviruses. In order to check the feasibility of SDF-1alpha in ex vivo expansion system, we compared HUVEC cells tranduced by a SDF-1alpha recombinant virus with HUVEC cells transduced by a LacZ recombinant virus in supporting activity of hematopoietic cells, and found that expression of SDF-1alpha in HUVEC cells increased viable blood cell population obtained from the same number of CD34+ cells. The SDF-1alpha recombinant adenovirus seems to be useful for future application in hematopoiesis studies.