Figure 5_. Human CB LEPR⁺CD34⁺ cells, a minor subset of total CD34⁺ cells, are more highly enriched for phenotypically-defined HSCs and MPPs but have fewer colony-forming progenitor cells.

Using FACS analysis, freshly isolated hCB CD34⁺ cells were phenotyped for LEPR expression in human HSCs (CD34⁺CD38⁻CD45RA⁻CD90⁺) and MPPs (CD34⁺CD38⁻CD45RA⁻CD90⁻). Freshly sorted hCB LEPR⁺CD34^bri, LEPR⁺CD34^dim and LEPR⁻CD34^dim cells were assessed for colony formation capacity in CFU assay.

(Ai). Representative gating strategy to determine fractions of human HSCs and MPPs within each population (LEPR⁺CD34⁺vs. LEPR⁻CD34⁺)

(Aii). Quantified average percentages of LEPR⁺CD34⁺ cells compared to LEPR⁻CD34⁺ in 5 cords. (N = 5)

(Bi-ii). Fractions of human pHSCs (Bi) and pMPP (Bii) within each population (LEPR⁺CD34⁺vs. LEPR⁻CD34⁺ respectively) (N = 5)

(Ci-ii). Absolute numbers of CFU-GM (Ci) and CFU-GEMM (Cii) colonies scored 14 days after plating equal numbers of LEPR⁺CD34^bri, LEPR⁺CD34^dim and LEPR⁻CD34^dim in semisolid methylcellulose supplemented with GFs and cytokines. (N = 2)

Data are mean ±SD. * p<0.05, ** p<0.01, *** p<0.001, **** p<0.0001 using Student’s t test in (Aii, Bi-ii) and Ordinary One-way ANOVA followed with post-hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison test in (Ci-ii).