CD34 is a glycosylated transmembrane protein and represents a well-established marker for human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and cord blood. CD34+ cells are self-renewing, multipotent stem cells that give rise to all blood cells of the immune system through a process called hematopoiesis. As hematopoietic stem cells progress through hematopoiesis they generate the myeloid (monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, megakaryocytes, dendritic cells, erythrocytes) and lymphoid (T cells, B cells, NK cells) lineages. The highly specialized cells that arise from hematopoietic stem cells work collaboratively in defending the body against infection and disease.

Bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) are separated from whole bone marrow by a density gradient centrifugation protocol.CD34+ cells are positively selected using immunomagnetic anti-CD34 (clone QBEND10) microbeads from bone marrow mononuclear cells. Isolated primary cells are characterized by flow cytometry to ensure a highly pure and viable cell population.

Cells were obtained using Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved consent forms and protocols.