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.

Human cord blood CD34+ stem and progenitor cells are positively selected using immunomagnetic anti-CD34 (clone QBEND10) microbeads from the mononuclear cell fraction. Isolated cells are characterized by flow cytometry prior to cryopreservation to ensure a highly pure and viable cell population.

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