Isolation and Characterization of Human CD34~+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells by High-gradient Magnetic Cell Sorting

Using a high-gradient magnetic cell sorting (MACS) system, CD34~+ cells were isolated from human bone marrow, cord blood, peripheral blood, and cultured in CFU system. The results showed that the excellent recovery (75%) and highest purity (95-99%) were acquired by using the MACS separation system, and the most CFCs were present in CD34~+ population, but not in CD34 fraction by clonogenic assays. The isolation of pure hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells is of experimental and clinical importance.