Isolation and in vitro culture of endothelial progenitor cell-like populations from leukoreduction filters

Background Leukoreduction filters (LRFs) are routinely used in blood transfusion services and retain substantial numbers of nucleated cells during blood processing. These discarded filters have therefore been explored as a potential source of peripheral blood-derived cells for endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-like related in vitro studies. Methods Leukoreduction filters were collected from the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). Entrapped cells were recovered using a washing-based procedure without the use of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) or endothelial differentiation media. A coating solution containing plasma-derived components, including cryoprecipitate and platelet lysate, was applied to improve early cell adhesion during in vitro culture. Results Cultured cells were characterized by flow cytometry using CD133 as a surface-associated progenitor marker. Approximately 70% of the cells at passage 3–4 was positive for CD133. Conclusion Leukoreduction filters may serve as an accessible and cost-effective source of peripheral blood-derived cell populations for EPC-like related in vitro studies. Further studies are required to confirm their endothelial identity and functional properties.