ABSTRACT
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the source of immune and blood cells. In adults, the process occurs in the bone marrow, referred as hematopoietic activity. The HSC role in hematopoietic activity has been studied for almost a century; yet, to date, there is no documented method to expand these cells for large numbers in experimental questions. The method to achieve a large number of HSCs and their progenitors is fundamental to understand how dysfunctions in aging can influence hematological diseases. This chapter describes how to isolate human HSCs based on the current literature on the phenotype of these cells. The described method is used for mobilized peripheral blood (MPB), BM aspirate and umbilical cord blood (UCB), and, if indicated, peripheral blood.
