Compositions and methods for preparing cd34neg stem cells for transplant

Abstract

It has been discovered that CD34 neg cells, for example HSPCs, can be modified to increase their ability to migrate and to engraft in bone marrow. One embodiment provides a method for modifying CD34 neg cells by using glycosyltransferase-programmed stereosubstitution (GPS) to create relevant selectin-binding glycan determinants on the cell surface. For example, the CD34 neg cells can be treated with a fucosyltransferase, such as an α(1,3)-linkage-specific fucosyltransferase. Representative enzymes that can be used include, but are not limited to fucosyltransferase VI (FTVI or FucT-6) or fucosyltransferase VII (FTVII of FucT-7). These enzymes specifically places a fucose onto a terminal type 2-lactosamine unit; if that lactosamine is capped with an α(2,3)-linked sialic acid, sLe x is created.