Synergistic interactions allow colony formation in vitro by murine haemopoietic stem cells.
A clonogenic assay for cells that give rise to macroscopic colonies in agar or methyl cellulose cultures using untreated, normal murine bone marrow as a source of stem cells is described. We have characterized the clonogenic cell, which has been designated CFU-A, by comparing its properties with those of multipotential stem cells (assayed as CFU-S) and lineage-restricted progenitor cells (assayed as GM-CFC). The investigations have included assessment of proliferative status and response to CFU-S proliferation regulators, response to 5-fluorouracil, buoyant cell density, radial distribution in the femur and response to ionizing radiation. We conclude that the CFU-A has properties in common with CFU-S that differ from those of GM-CFC. The data are consistent with the CFU-A assay detecting part of the multipotential stem cell population also detected by spleen colony formation.
LRF Laboratory, MRC Radiobiology Unit, Chilton, U.K.
S A
SA
Lorimore
I B
IB
Pragnell
L
L
Eckmann
E G
EG
Wright
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
D006133:Growth Substances; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; C022173:stem cell inhibitory factor; D005472:Fluorouracil