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Fetal Bone Marrow Best Source Of Stem Cells For Transplantation

Date:
June 6, 1997
Source:
Johns Hopkins Children's Center
Summary:
Georgetown research shows that fetal bone marrow is the best source of stem cells for bone marrow transplants, better than umbilical cord blood or adult bone marrow.
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have completed a study comparing the effectiveness of three main sources of stem cells for bone marrow transplantation: fetal bone marrow from spontaneous abortions, umbilical cord blood and adult bone marrow.


The study, done by Maria Michejda, Ph.D. and colleagues at Georgetown, shows that fetal bone marrow is eight times more effective than umbilical cord blood, and 23 times more effective than adult bone marrow for bone marrow transplantation


Besides the shortage of matching donors, the biggest problem with bone marrow transplantation is graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD occurs when the immune system of the donor's marrow identifies the recipient's body as foreign and tries to destroy it.


The investigators found that compared to cord blood and adult bone marrow, fetal bone marrow contains the highest concentration of CD34+ cells which are responsible for creating new blood cells, and the lowest concentrations of CD-3 cells, which are responsible for identifying and rejecting foreign tissue. The lower the level of CD-3 cells, the lower the chances of GVHD.


The paper was presented last month at the Pediatric Societies' Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.


Story Source:

Materials provided by Johns Hopkins Children's Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Cite This Page:

Johns Hopkins Children's Center. "Fetal Bone Marrow Best Source Of Stem Cells For Transplantation." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 June 1997. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/06/970606123807.htm>.
Johns Hopkins Children's Center. (1997, June 6). Fetal Bone Marrow Best Source Of Stem Cells For Transplantation. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 13, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/06/970606123807.htm
Johns Hopkins Children's Center. "Fetal Bone Marrow Best Source Of Stem Cells For Transplantation." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/06/970606123807.htm (accessed December 13, 2024).

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