Netcells - Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Banking

Umbilical stem cell banking harvests the stem cells from the umbilical cord blood and tissue at the birth of a baby.

The umbilical cord blood is rich in Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) which can be used to help treat over 80 blood-related diseases.

These stem cells are used in the regeneration of bone marrow and an alternative source of stem cells for a bone marrow transplant.

The umbilical cord tissue is rich in Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which form the connective tissues in our bodies.

These stem cells hold considerable potential in treating a wide variety of medical and aesthetic conditions, such as treating burns or wounds that are battling to heal. They are currently being used in a number of clinical trials.

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Nextcells - HCP - Collection Kit - XXXXXXXXXXX

The collection kit will be brought to the hospital by the patient and the doctor informed of their decision to bank their baby's stem cells.

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The cord blood is collected immediately after the birth and before delivery of the placenta.

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The umbilical cord is cut and clamped.

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A needle is inserted into the umbilical cord vein and the blood is collected into a sterile bag. The cord can be gently milked to speed up the collection process.

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100 - 150ml of cord blood needs to be collected for it to be successfully stored.

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Following the collection of the cord blood, and delivery of the placenta, if the patient has opted for cord tissue storage a 10 - 15cm piece of cord is cut, cleaned and placed inside the sterile collection tube.

Collection can be done whether the baby is delivered vaginally or via ceasarean section.

If you are unfamiliar with the process, please see our optimal collection video which takes you through a collection.

There are also optimal collection protocols available for download should you prefer.

Optimal Collection Video

Collection Protocols

Packaging Instructions

Netcells makes use of PrepaCyte-CB (Cord Blood)® processing technology when processing the cord blood stem cells.

It was developed in 2009 in the US, specifically for the processing of cord blood. It is a sterile, US FDA 510k approved closed processing system. Netcells chose to adopt this processing method because it recovers more colony forming stem cells, has lower levels of red blood cells post processing and stem cells processed with this method offer a quicker time to engraftment, than other cord blood processing methods¹.

PrepaCyte-CB® leads to better separation of the red blood cells from the plasma and white blood cells by a process called sedimentation.

It creates a clear physical difference in separation of cell types, which means it is able to capture more stem cells whilst reducing red blood cells by up to 99%.

Cord Blood Methodology

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HCP - Netcells - Methodology - Sample arrives

The sample arrives at the laboratory, is checked by a technician along with the paperwork and is captured into the database.

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HCP - Netcells - Methodology - Cord blood

The cord blood unit is passed into the cleanroom for sterile processing.

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HCP - Netcells - Methodology - PrepaCyte

The PrepaCyte-CB solution is added to the cord blood, thoroughly mixed and given time for sedimentation to occur. The supernatant is then separated from the red blood cells.

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HCP - Netcells - Methodology - Centrifugation

Following centrifugation the pelleted cells are expressed into the freezer bag.

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HCP - Netcells - Methodology - Cryoperservative

The cryopreservative is added to the pelleted cells and a controlled rate freeze is performed, following which the cells are stored in our liquid nitrogen tanks in the vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.

Cord Tissue Methodology

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A 10-15cm of cord tissue is received. This is washed twice in antibiotic solution and twice in saline.

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The cord tissue is cut into tiny pieces and placed into 5 cryovials per client.

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Cryomedia (cryopreservative containing DMSO) is then added to the first four cryovials.

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For the 5th cryovial, MTT is added, which is a yellow solution that turns purple when added to healthy, respiring cells. This serves as a cord tissue viability test.

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These are then placed in the control rate freezers and then into the cryogenic tanks for final storage.

Cord blood stem cells can be used as an alternative source of stem cells for treating over 80 blood-related diseases.

Either as the only therapy option, in instances where front-line therapies have failed or where the disease is very aggressive.

Examples include:

Leukaemias

(i.e. acute and chronic)

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

(i.e. Refractory Anaemia)

Lymphomas

(i.e. Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma)

Anaemias

(i.e. Sickle Cell and Fanconi Anaemia)

Inherited Platelet Abnormalities

(i.e. Congenital Throma)

Myeloproliferative Disorders

(i.e. Myelofibrosis)

Inherited Immune System Disorders

(i.e. SCID)

Metabolic Disorders

(i.e. Lysosomal Storage and Leukodystrophy Disorders)

Cancers in bone marrow

(i.e. Multiple Myeloma)

Other cancers

(i.e. Neuroblastoma, Medulloblastoma and Retinoblastoma)

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Source: Parent’s Guide to Cord Blood

Cord Tissue Collection Protocol

Cord Blood Collection Protocol

Optimal Cord Blood Collection