When CD34+ HSPCs were enumerated, we found a significant reduction in the number of HSPCs from HR-MDS-MSC co-cultures (n = 9, 2.55 ± 0.45 × 106) compared to healthy MSCs (n = 6, 4.31 ± 0.40 × 106, p < 0.01) or LR-MDS-MSCs (n = 8, 5.39 ± 0.95 × 106, p < 0.01) but no significant difference between LR-MDS-MSC and healthy MSC groups (Fig. 3a). The gene discussed is CD34; the disease is myelodysplastic syndrome.