Transcriptome analysis of ITGA3+ and ITGA3- from expanded CB cells

Cell purification technology combined with whole transcriptome sequencing and small molecule agonist of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal has allowed us to identify ITGA3 as a surface maker that defines a rare subpopulation of human cells which is highly enriched for stem cell activity in vivo. ITGA3-positive cells (within the EPCR+CD90+CD133+CD34+CD45RA- fraction) exhibit a robust multi-lineage differentiation potential and serial reconstitution in immunocompromised mice. In culture, most if not all of the HSC activity is detected in the ITGA3+ subset, arguing for the stability of this marker on the surface of cultured cells, a feature not found with more recently described markers such as CD49f. Functionally ITGA3 is essential for human HSC activity in vivo. Its exploitation should open new possibilities in our effort to understand the molecular bases behind HSC self-renewal. Examining 2 cellular subsets: ITGA3+ and ITGA3- derived form EPCR+CD90+CD133+CD34+CD45RA- cord blood cells after 7 day expansion in UM171. A 3rd cell fraction (EPCR+CD34+) was sorted as a control