INDIANAPOLIS — Researchers at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center are testing new technology for isolating stem cells, a process that could simplify research processes and potentially improve clinical applications for life-saving blood cancer treatments.
The study, published today in Stem Cell Translation Medicine, found that the new technology isolates CD34+ stem cells — a particularly potent type of blood-forming stem cell — in a semi-automated device that is less technically challenging and potentially quicker and less disruptive to the cells. James Ropa, PhD, an assistant professor at the IU School of Medicine and cancer center researcher, partnered with 42Bio, a Florida-based biotechnology company specializing in magnetic cell isolation technologies, to test the new device — called FerroBio — recently developed by the company. This is the first study in a peer-reviewed journal to assess the device and directly compare it to long-established isolation technologies.
Ropa studies hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells function to improve cell therapies and stem cell transplantations. For this study, Ropa used donated cord blood, which is enriched with these cells and used in hematopoietic stem cell transplantations — a life-saving treatment for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Traditional methods for isolating these cells have been in use for more than 20 years. Most standard protocols require that the cells are spun at high speeds in a centrifuge and then marked by magnetic beads, which typically remain attached to the cells after isolation.
"The question I had was: 'Are the cells separated with the FerroBio functional and equivalent to traditional cell separation methods?'" Ropa said. "If we are going to change our standard process, we need to know that."
Ropa and his lab conducted experiments using cord blood samples that were divided by volume into two groups: one portion isolated with the traditional method and the other with the new technology.
"This study was designed to determine if the technology was as effective and equivalent to traditional cell separation methods and if the cells would engraft in mouse models of human cell transplantation, which was the case," Ropa said. "But to my surprise, what we actually found was that there were some metrics by which these cells appear to be healthier and more functional when isolated with the new technology."
Ropa found that cells separated with the new FerroBio device were functional, healthy and able to perform all the same functions as those separated with the original technology. The slight improvements included higher cell numbers engrafting at one to three months in the mouse models, though at later time periods the engraftment was similar.
One notable difference was that the original technology retains the small marking beads on the cells even after isolation, and these beads were found particularly on unhealthy cells.
"What it suggests to us is that those beads do affect the cell, maybe by affecting the cell membrane integrity," Ropa said. "That might be why we see a little bit of an advantage with the new technology, because those beads are gone with the new technology."
Ropa said this study is just the beginning for testing the new technology. Because the instrument is technically less challenging and potentially quicker, it could eventually improve both research and clinical applications. He noted that collaborations between industry and academic centers benefits research.
"Working with companies who are driving technical innovation gives us a new perspective and helps push the field forward," he said.
Shabnam Namin, PhD, president of 42Bio, said the company’s goal in developing FerroBio was to create a gentler and more consistent way to isolate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
"We are thrilled to see independent academic data showing that reducing mechanical stress and removing beads can meaningfully impact cell quality," Namin said.
Ropa's research builds on IU's expertise in hematopoietic stem cell transplantations. Cord blood transplantation method was developed at IU by the late Hal Broxmeyer, PhD, the groundbreaking researcher widely considered "the father" of cord blood transplantation and therapies.
"Cord blood processing is not a super easy thing to do. It's technically difficult and it takes some expertise," Ropa said. "If we can make processes like that simpler, then maybe we can make it more universally available both at the bench and in the clinical."
Additional IU School of Medicine authors of the study include Jimin Park, PhD; Jessica Newton; So Jeong Kim; and Yangshin Park, PhD.
This research was supported by grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. Ropa also thanks the parents who donated umbilical cord blood for research purposes.
About the Indiana University School of Medicine
The IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability. According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the IU School of Medicine ranks No. 13 in 2024 National Institutes of Health funding among all public medical schools in the country.
Writer: Candace Gwaltney, cmgwaltn@iu.edu
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