Compatibility of different polymers for cord blood-derived hematopoietic progenitor cells

The low yield of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) present in cord blood grafts limits their application in clinics. A reliable strategy for ex vivo expansion of functional HPC is a present goal in regenerative medicine. Here we evaluate the capacity of several two-dimensional polymers to support HPC proliferation. Basic compatibility was tested by measuring cell viability, cytotoxicity and apoptosis of CD34 + progenitors that were short and long-term exposed to sixteen bio and synthetic polymers. Resomer ® RG503, PCL and Fibrin might be good alternatives to tissue culture plastic for culture of CB-derived CD34 + progenitors. Further, these polymers will be produced in three-dimensional structures and tested for their cytocompatibility.