Yaowalak U-pratya is a senior medical technologist at the SiSCR and the Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. She finished her B.Sc. (Medical Technology) in 1984 and M.Sc. (Pathobiology) in 1991 from Mahidol University. Upon graduation, she has been working with Prof. Surapol Issaragrisil in the fields of bone marrow and hematopoietic stem cell for transplantation (HSCT) for hematological disorders. With almost 30 years of experience in the field, she has established the techniques for bone marrow collection and processing, cord blood collection and processing, CD34+ cell purification by CliniMASC, hematopoietic stem cell culture using methylcellulose culture system and CD34+ enumeration by flow cytometry. In 1993, she was a member of the clinical research team who won the Best Research Award from National Research Council on the topic of “The study of pathogenesis of aplastic anemia”. Currently, her research focuses on the biology and clinical applications of various adult stem/progenitor cells. She has established the techniques for mesenchymal stem cell culture, characterization and differentiation and including the techniques for studying the immunomudulatory property of these cells from various sources including bone marrow and postnatal tissues by using flow cytometry. Her work also involves the establishment of the techniques used to study cell cycle, apoptosis and NK cell function by using flow cytometry as well as studying cell proliferation. Apart from the interest in the biology and application of adult stem cells, her research also focuses on the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to other lineages including mesenchymal stem cells for basic research, and hepatocytes for drug screening and toxicology testing.

e-mail: yaowalak.upr@mahidol.ac.th

Publications

    1. Supokawej A, Kheolamai P, Nartprayut K, U-pratya Y, Manochantr S, Chayosumrit M, Issaragrisil S. Cardiogenic and myogenic gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells after 5-azacytidine treatment. Turkish Journal of Hematology. 2013;  30(2):115-21.

    2. Sangsuwon C, Jiratchariyakul W, U-Pratya Y, Kummalue T. Antiproliferative effect and the isolated compounds of pouzolzia indica. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013; , art. no. 342352.

    3.  Nartprayut K, U-Pratya Y, Kheolamai P, Manochantr S, Chayosumrit M, Issaragrisil S, Supokawej A. Cardiomyocyte differentiation of perinatally-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2013;  7(5):1465-9.

    4.  Manochantr S, U-pratya Y, Kheolamai P, Rojphisan S, Chayosumrit M, Tantrawatpan C, Supokawej A, Issaragrisil S. Immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from amnion, placenta, Wharton’s jelly and umbilical cord. Internal Medicine Journal. 2013;  43(4):430-9.

    5. Sudchada S, Kheolamai P, U-Pratya Y, Chayosumrit M, Supokawej A, Manochantr S, Tantrawatpan C, Sritanaudomchai H, Issaragrisil S. CD14-/CD34+ is the founding population of umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenin1 is an important factor promoting the colony formation. Annals of Hematology. 2012;  91(3):321-9.

    6. Phetkate P, Kummalue T, U-Pratya Y, Kietinun S. Significant increase in cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells by triphala: A clinical phase i study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012; art. no. 239856.

    7. Jiraritthamrong C, Kheolamai P, U-Pratya Y, Chayosumrit M, Supokawej A, Manochantr S, Tantrawatpan C, Sritanaudomchai H, Issaragrisil S. In vitro vessel-forming capacity of endothelial progenitor cells in high glucose conditions. Annals of Hematology. 2012;  91(3):311-20.

    8.  U-pratya Y, Pratumrat T, Jiratchariyakul W, Kummalue T. Antiproliferative activity of Erycibe elliptilimba against human leukemic cancer cell lines. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 2012; 6(13): 2606-2613.

    9.  Dakeng S, Duangmano S, Jiratchariyakul W, U-Pratya Y, Bögler O, Patmasiriwat P. Inhibition of Wnt signaling by cucurbitacin B in breast cancer cells: Reduction of Wnt-associated proteins and reduced translocation of galectin-3-mediated β-catenin to the nucleus. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. 2012;  113(1):49-60.

    10. Kunyaboon R, Wanachiwanawin W, U-pratya Y, Thesawad A, Taka O. Mechanism of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clonal dominance: possible roles of different apoptosis and CD8+ lymphocytes in the selection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clones. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2012; 5(3): 138-145.

    11. U-Pratya Y, Lueangamornnara U, Jiratchariyakul W, Kummalue T. Immunosuppressive effects of cucurbitacin B on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2010;  4(22):2340-7.

    12. Manochantr S, Tantrawatpan C, Kheolamai P, U-pratya Y, Supokawej A, Issaragrisil S. Isolation, characterization and neural differentiation potential of amnion derived mesenchymal stem cells. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet. 2010;  93 Suppl 7:S183-91.

    13. Churdchomjan W, Kheolamai P, Manochantr S, Tapanadechopone P, Tantrawatpan C, U-pratya Y, Issaragrisil S. Comparison of endothelial progenitor cell function in type 2 diabetes with good and poor glycemic control. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2010;  10.

    14. U-pratya Y, Jiratchariyakul W, Kummalue T. Anti-proliferative effects of Pouzolzia indica on acute promyelocytic cell lines: NB4 and HT93A. Anti-proliferative effects of Pouzolzia indica on acute promyelocytic cell lines: NB4 and HT93A. Asian J Trad Med 2008; 3: 124-133

    15. Turbpaiboon C, Limjindaporn T, Wongwiwat W, U-Pratya Y, Siritanaratkul N, Yenchitsomanus PT, Jitrapakdee S, Wilairat P. Impaired interaction of α-haemoglobin-stabilising protein with α-globin termination mutant in a yeast two-hybrid system. British Journal of Haematology. 2006; 132(3):370-3.

    16. U-pratya Y, Boonmoh S, Promsuwicha O, Theerapitayanon C, Kalanchai L, Chanjerboon V, Sirimai K, Visuthisakchai S, Bejrachandra S, Issaragrisil S. Collection and processing of umbilical cord blood for cryopreservation. J Med Assoc Thai 2003; 86: 1055-1062.

    17. Auewarakul CU, Promsuwicha O, U-pratya Y, Pattanapanyasat K, Issaragrisil S. Immunophenotypic profile of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Analysis of 267 cases in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. 2003; 21(3):153-60.

    18. U-pratya Y, Promsuwicha O, Boonmoh S, Chanjerboon V, Auewarakul C. The purification of CD34+ cells by CliniMACS for stem cell transplantation. J Med Tech Assoc Thai 2002; 30(1): 71-79.

    19. Pakdeesuwan K, Muangsup W, U-pratya Y, Issaragrisil S, Wanachiwanawin W. Clinical paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is the result of expansion of glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol-anchored protein-deficient clone in the condition of deficient hematopoiesis. Inter J Hematol 2001; 73: 64-70.

    20.  Udomsakdi-Auewarakul C, U-Pratya Y, Chongkolwatana V, Tanphaichitr VS, Pattanapanyasat K, Issaragrisil S. Purification of human hemopoietic stem cells for transplantation in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. 2000;  18(2):85-92.

    21. Udomsakdi-Auewarakul C, U-Pratya Y, Boonmoh S, Vatanavicharn S. Detection of Molecular Variants of BCR-ABL Gene in Bone Marrow and Blood of Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2000;  83(8):928-35.

    22. U-pratya Y, Boonmoh S, Auewarakul C. Detection of BCR-ABL mRNA in chronic myeloid leukemia by RT-PCR. J Med Tech Assoc Thai 2000; 28(2): 7-15.

    23. Issaragrisil S, U-pratya Y, Yimyam M, Pakdeesuwan K, Khuhapinant A, Muangsup W, Pattanapanyasat K. Hematopoietic progenitor cells in the blood and bone marrow in various hematologic disorders. Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio). 1998;  16 Suppl 1:123-8.

    24. Visutthisakchai S, Chongkolwatana V, U-pratya Y, Yimyam M, Chanjerboon V, Muangsup W, Munketvit C, Uipasert N. Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in Thai patients. Mahidol J 1998; 5 (1): 35-39.

    25. Patmasiriwat P, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Tiengtut. Eradication of Ph1 positive cell and abnormal bcr-abl in chronic myelogeneous leukemia after interferon therapy. Mahidol J 1997; 4(1): 15-20

    26. Issaragrisil S, Suvatte V, Visuthisakchai S, Tanphaichitr VS, Chandanayingyong D, Chongkolwatana V, U-pratya Y, Yimyam M, Mahasandana C. Bone marrow and cord blood stem cell transplantation for thalassemia in Thailand. Bone Marrow Transplantation. 1997;  19(SUPPL. 2):54-6.

    27. U-pratya Y, Yimyam M. The hematopoietic committed progenitor cells studied in aplastic anemia treated with antilymphocyteglobulin. Mahidol Univ J 1996; 3(4): 105-9.

    28. Tang-naitrisorana Y, Issaragrisil S, Visuthisakchai S, Suvatte V, Piankijakum A. Study of hematopoietic progenitor cells in thalassemia after bone marrow transplantation. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health. 1995; 26 Suppl 1:291-5.

    29. Issaragrisil S, Visuthisakchai S, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Chandanayingyong D, Suvatte V, Tanphaichitr VS, Ruengvuttilert P, Piankijagum A. Collection of cord blood stem cells for transplantation in thalassemic patients. Stem Cells 1995; 13 (suppl 3): 71-75.

    30. Issaragrisil S, Visuthisakchai S, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Chandanayingyong D, Suvatte V, Tanphaichitr VS, Ruengvuttilert P, Piankijagum A. Cord blood transplantation in thalassemia. Blood 1995; 86 (suppl 1): 950a.

    31. Issaragrisil S, Piankijagum A, Tang-Naitrisorana Y. Abnormalities of hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients with aplastic anemia after hematologic recovery. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 1989; 72(11):643-8.

    32. Issaragrisil S, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Piankijagum A, Fucharoen S, Wasi P. Study of hematopoietic progenitors in patients with thalassemia: the effect of splenectomy. Birth defects original article series. 1988 ; 23(5 B):323-9.

    33. Issaragrisil S, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Chinprasertsuk S, Suvatte V, Piankijagum A. Studies on the pathogenesis of aplastic anemia in Thailand: evidence of immune-mediated mechanism. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. 1988 ;6(1):33-7.

    34. Issaragrisil S, Tang-naitrisorana Y, Siriseriwan T, Chinprasertsuk S, Piankijagum A, Sarasombath S. Methylprednisolone therapy in aplastic anemia: Correlation of invitro test and lymphocyte subset with clinical response. Eur J Haematol 1988; 40: 343-349.

    35. Issaragrisil S, Piankijagum A, Tang-Naitrisorana Y. Corticosteroids therapy in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. American Journal of Hematology. 1987; 25(1):77-83.