New technology enables stabilization of RNA profile in bone marrow with subsequent RNA purification

Copy numbers of individual mRNAs in bone marrow can change significantly during storage or transport, making reliable gene expression studies impossible. The PAXgene™ Bone Marrow RNA System from PreAnalytiX (a QIAGEN/BD company) protects the cellular RNA profile in bone marrow at the point of collection, with integrated purification of high-quality intracellular RNA for research applications.

The system consists of PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Tubes for stabilization, storage, and transportation of human bone marrow samples, and the PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Kit, for silica-membrane–based RNA isolation and purification in a spin-column format. The system provides a complete preanalytical research solution from on-site stabilization to rapid and efficient purification of high-quality RNA.

Bone marrow samples are collected using standard medical practices and commonly used anticoagulants. A 2 ml sample is then transferred into a PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Tube, which immediately stabilizes the RNA profile in the sample for storage at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen. The sample can be safely transported in the PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Tube, with no need for dry ice or liquid nitrogen. RNA can be purified days later using the PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Kit, or the sample can be stored or archived for several months at –20°C.

The PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Kit provides an easy and rapid procedure for isolation and purification of intracellular RNA from human whole bone marrow samples stabilized in PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Tubes. The kit uses silica-membrane technology in a spin-column format for efficient purification of intact, high-quality RNA for research applications. An integrated DNase treatment ensures that genomic DNA contamination is minimized. In-house and external studies showed that genomic DNA was =0.85% in 95% of the samples tested (n = 157). A₂₆₀/A₂₈₀ values are typically between 1.8 and 2.2, indicating the high purity of the RNA.

Bone marrow samples are extremely heterogeneous, consisting of varying amounts of cells, tissue, and solid matter (Batinic, D. et al. [1990] Bone Marrow Transplant. 6, 103). RNA yields are highly donor-dependent and can vary greatly from sample to sample as well as between replicates from the same donor. The PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Kit enables efficient isolation and purification of intracellular RNA from heterogeneous human whole bone marrow samples, including an optimized procedure for cell-rich, viscous samples.

RNA purified using the PAXgene Bone Marrow RNA Kit is ready for use in a wide range of downstream research applications, including real-time RT-PCR analysis of specific transcripts and array analysis of complex expression profiles.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostics procedures. No claim or representation is intended to provide information for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.