Abstract: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are responsible for maintaining spermatogenesis throughout life in the male by continuous production of daughter cells that differentiate into spermatozoa. However, no unique phenotypic markers to identify SSCs have been described. In this study, the SSC surface phenotype was characterized by using flow cytometric cell sorting in conjunction with a transplantation functional assay for SSCs. Highly enriched stem cell activity was found in the MHC class I (MHC-I)-Thy-1+c-kit- cell fraction of the mouse cryptorchid testis. There was little or no stem cell activity in any other fraction. The antigenic phenotype of the MHC-I-Thy-1+c-kit- SSCs was alpha6-integrin+CD24+alphavintegrin-Sca-1-CD34-. Subsequently, testis side population (SP) cells, which are defined by a Hoechst dye efflux assay, were identified. Their surface phenotype was found to be MHC-I+Thy-1-Sca-1+, and the transplantation assay demonstrated that the testis SP and SSCs are distinct populations. In several other tissues, the SP has been shown to contain stem cells, but we found that this characteristic does not define SSCs. The identification of a surface phenotype that allows production of a highly enriched SSC population will facilitate functional and genomic studies and enable further comparison with other stem cells.

Abstract: Organ-specific stem cells can be identified by the side population (SP) phenotype, which is defined by the property to effectively exclude the Hoechst 33342 dye. The ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2/BCRP1 mediates the SP phenotype. Because hepatic oval cells possess several characteristics of stem cells, we examined whether they have the SP phenotype using the 2-acetylaminofluorene/partial hepatectomy (PH) model. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis showed that a population of non-parenchymal cells containing oval cells, prepared on day 7 after PH, carried a significant number of SP cells, whereas that of non-parenchymal cells without oval cells, prepared on day 0 after PH, did not. Northern blot analysis using total liver RNA obtained on various days after PH showed that the expression of ABCG2/BCRP1 mRNA increased after PH, reaching the highest level on day 7, and then gradually decreased. This pattern of changes in the ABCG2/BCRP1 mRNA level was well correlated to that in the number of oval cells. Furthermore, in situ hybridization revealed that oval cells were the sites of expression of ABCG2/BCRP1 mRNA. These results indicate that oval cells have the SP phenotype defined by expression of ABCG2/BCRP1, suggesting that oval cells may represent stem cells in the liver.

Abstract: The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype is associated with the overexpression of members of the ATP-binding cassette family of proteins. These MDR transporters are expressed at the plasma membrane, where they are thought to reduce the cellular accumulation of toxins over time. Our data demonstrate that members of this family are also expressed in subcellular compartments where they actively sequester drugs away from their cellular targets. The multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), P-glycoprotein, and the breast cancer resistance protein are each present in a perinuclear region positive for lysosomal markers. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis suggests that these three drug transporters do little to reduce the cellular accumulation of the anthracycline doxorubicin. However, whereas doxorubicin enters cells expressing MDR transporters, this drug is sequestered away from the nucleus, its subcellular target, in vesicles expressing each of the three drug resistance proteins. Using a cell-impermeable inhibitor of MRP1 activity, we demonstrate that MRP1 activity on intracellular vesicles is sufficient to confer a drug resistance phenotype, whereas disruption of lysosomal pH is not. Intracellular localization and activity for MRP1 and other members of the MDR transporter family may suggest different strategies for chemotherapeutic regimens in a clinical setting.

Abstract: Multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cells overexpressing P-glycoprotein (P-gp) display variations in invasive and metastatic behavior. We previously reported that these properties of MDR cancer cell lines overexpressing P-gp could be altered by chemotherapeutic drugs or MDR modulators (R. S. Kerbel et al., Cancer Surv., 7: 597-629, 1988). To attempt to clarify the mechanism(s) underlying these observations, we studied the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), a glycoprotein enriched on the surface of tumor cells that can stimulate the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), in sensitive and MDR cancer cells. Using immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, we found that EMMPRIN expression was increased in MDR carcinoma cell lines, MCF-7/AdrR, KBV-1, and A2780Dx5, as compared to their parental counterparts. The MDR cell lines produced more matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), as determined by zymography, Western blot, and reverse transcription-PCR. Treatment of MDR cells with an anti-EMMPRIN antibody inhibited the activity of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. In MDR cell line MCF-7/AdrR, an increased in vitro invasive ability was observed as compared with the sensitive line MCF-7, and EMMPRIN antibody could inhibit the in vitro invasion in drug-resistant cells. In addition, the expression and activity of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in MDR cells were decreased by treatment with U-0126, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase (MAPK/Erk). Our results suggest that during the development of MDR, the expression of EMMPRIN is responsible for the increased activity of MMP in MDR cell lines.

Abstract: CA125 is an ovarian cancer antigen whose recently elucidated primary structure suggests that CA125 is a giant mucin-like glycoprotein present on the cell surface of tumor cells. Here, we establish a functional link between CA125 and β-galactoside-binding, cell-surface lectins, which are components of the extracellular matrix implicated in the regulation of cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell proliferation and tumor progression. On the basis of mass spectrometry and immunological analyses, we find that CA125 is a counter receptor for galectin-1, as both soluble and membrane-associated fragments of CA125 derived from HeLa cell lysates are shown to bind specifically to human galectin-1 with high efficiency. This interaction is demonstrated (1) to depend on β-galactose-terminated, O-linked oligosaccharide chains of CA125, (2) to be preferential for galectin-1 versus galectin-3 and (3) to be regulated by the cellular background in which CA125 is expressed. Despite lacking a conventional signal peptide, a CA125 C-terminal fragment of 1148 amino acids, representing less than 10% of the full-length protein, retains the ability to integrate into secretory membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi, and is targeted to the plasma membrane by conventional secretory transport. As demonstrated by a novel assay that reconstitutes non-conventional secretion of galectin-1 based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), we find that tumor-derived HeLa cells expressing endogenous CA125 present more than ten times as much galectin-1 on their surface compared with non-tumor-derived, CA125-deficient CHO cells. Intriguingly, both the galectin-1 expression level and the cell-surface binding capacity for galectin-1 are shown to be similar in CHO and HeLa cells, suggesting that CA125 might be a factor involved in the regulation of galectin-1 export to the cell surface.

Abstract: Natural alpha interferon (IFN-alpha)-producing cells (IPCs) are now recognized as identical to plasmacytoid dendritic cell (DC) precursors in human blood and are thought to play an important role in antiviral immunity. In the present study, we examined the susceptibility as well as the cellular responses of IPCs to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HLA-DR(+) CD11c(-) lineage-negative cells (IPCs) were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by magnetic-bead separation and cell sorting. We substantiated that IPCs expressing the major HIV-1 coreceptors, CXCR4 and CCR5, are susceptible to infection of both T-cell-line-tropic NL4-3 and macrophage-tropic JR-CSF HIV-1 by quantification of HIV-1 p24 in the culture supernatants and by provirus integration assay using human conserved Alu-HIV-1 long terminal repeat PCR. To evaluate the cellular response of IPCs to HIV-1, we examined IFN-alpha production and their differentiation into DCs. After incubation with either NL4-3 or JR-CSF, IPCs produced a large amount of IFN-alpha and at the same time underwent morphological differentiation into DCs with upregulation of CD80 and CD86. Heat inactivation of the supernatants containing HIV-1 did not affect the IFN-alpha production and maturation, whereas removal of virions by ultracentrifugation completely nullified both biological effects, indicating that these cellular responses do not require actual HIV-1 infection but are elicited by interaction with HIV-1 virions or certain viral components. In conclusion, these data strongly suggest that IPC can directly recognize and respond to HIV-1 with IFN-alpha production, which is crucial for preventing progress of HIV-1 infection and occurrence of opportunistic infection.

Abstract: Although graft-versus-host (GVH) disease (GVHD) is usually associated with graft versus leukemia (GVL), GVL can occur in the absence of clinical GVHD. There is evidence to suggest that GVL and GVH are mediated by different clones of T cells. The objective of this study was to identify the two types of T cells based on their receptor sequences. To this end we used irradiated nonleukemic cells from recipients as stimulator cells in a primary mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR). The activated CD4+ donor T cells that expressed CD25 were purified by cell sorting. To prepare GVL-specific T cells, alloreactive T cells in the primary MLR were first depleted with an anti-CD25 immunotoxin. The remaining T cells had negligible alloreactivity in a secondary MLR. The allodepleted cells were then stimulated by using purified leukemia cells from the same individual as stimulator cells, and the CD25+-activated cells were purified by cell sorting. The GVL- and GVH-specific T cells were analyzed for their T cell receptor (TCR) clonality by using anchored RT-PCR of all the TCRβ locus complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) sequences. By comparing TCRβ CDR3 sequences from transformed bacterial colonies, we were able to demonstrate that T cells mediating GVH were different from those mediating GVL in each of the eight HLA-mismatched and one HLA-matched donor/recipient pairs. By using the appropriate TCRβ CDR3-specific primers and probes, the GVH- and GVL-specific clones were monitored in a recipient undergoing an allogeneic stem cell transplant from her HLA-matched related donor.

Abstract: The α-folate receptor (FR) is selectively overexpressed in 90% of nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas, whereas no expression is detectable in normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Indirect evidence suggests that FR expression is associated with tumor progression and affects cell proliferation. To evaluate better the role of FR, we developed an approach based on intracellular expression of single-chain (sc) antibodies (intrabody) to downmodulate membrane expression of FR in ovary cancer cells. IGROV-1 and SKOV3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines were transfected with an anti-FR intrabody. Transfectants and parental cells were tested for FR, integrins and anti-FR intrabody expression by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or immunoblotting. Cell growth characteristics and adhesion properties were evaluated in liquid, semisolid and organotypic cultures. The anti-FR scFv inhibited FR expression from 60 to 99%. At physiological concentrations of folate, proliferation varied directly as a function of FR expression. FR downmodulation was accompanied by reduced colony-forming ability in soft agar, morphological change of the cells, significant enhanced adhesion to laminin or Matrigel, a two- to three-fold increase in α6β4 integrin expression, and a marked reduction in laminin production. In three-dimensional organotypic cultures, anti-FR intrabody-transfected IGROV1 cells grew as a single-ordered layer, reminiscent of normal OSE growth in vivo. In conclusion, the anti-FR intrabody reverses the transformed phenotype in ovary cancer cells and may provide an efficient means to inhibit selectively the growth of these cells.

Abstract: Homophilic cell adhesion mediated by classical cadherins is important for many developmental processes. Proteins that interact with the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin, in particular the catenins, are thought to regulate the strength and possibly the dynamics of adhesion. β-catenin links cadherin to the actin cytoskeleton via α-catenin. The role of p120/δ-catenin proteins in regulating cadherin function is less clear. Both β-catenin and p120/δ-catenin are conserved in Drosophila. Here, we address the importance of cadherin–catenin interactions in vivo, using mutant variants of Drosophila epithelial cadherin (DE-cadherin) that are selectively defective in p120ctn (DE-cadherin-AAA) or β-catenin–armadillo (DE-cadherin-Δβ) interactions. We have analyzed the ability of these proteins to substitute for endogenous DE-cadherin activity in multiple cadherin-dependent processes during Drosophila development and oogenesis; epithelial integrity, follicle cell sorting, oocyte positioning, as well as the dynamic adhesion required for border cell migration. As expected, DE-cadherin-Δβ did not substitute for DE-cadherin in these processes, although it retained some residual activity. Surprisingly, DE-cadherin-AAA was able to substitute for the wild-type protein in all contexts with no detectable perturbations. Thus, interaction with p120/δ-catenin does not appear to be required for DE-cadherin function in vivo.

Abstract: Cellular CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) promotes cellular differentiation and has antimitotic activities involving cell cycle arrest at G(1)/S through stabilization of p21(CIP-1)/WAF1 and through transcriptional activation of the p21 promoter. The Epstein-Barr virus lytic-cycle transactivator protein ZTA is known to arrest the host cell cycle at G(1)/S via a p53-independent p21 pathway, but the detailed molecular mechanisms involved have not been defined. To further evaluate the role of ZTA in cell cycle arrest, we constructed a recombinant adenovirus vector expressing ZTA (Ad-ZTA), whose level of expression at a low multiplicity of infection in normal human diploid fibroblast (HF) cells was lower than or equal to the physiological level seen in Akata cells lytically induced by EBV (EBV-Akata cells). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of HF cells infected with Ad-ZTA confirmed that G(1)/S cell cycle arrest occurred in the majority of ZTA-positive cells, but not with an adenovirus vector expressing green fluorescent protein. Double-label immunofluorescence assays (IFA) performed with Ad-ZTA-infected HF cells revealed that only ZTA-positive cells induced the expression of both endogenous C/EBPalpha and p21 and blocked the progression into S phase, as detected by a lack of incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine. The stimulation of endogenous ZTA protein expression either through treatment with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate in D98/HR1 cells or through B-cell receptor cross-linking with anti-immunoglobulin G antibody in EBV-Akata cells also coincided with the induction of both C/EBPalpha and p21 and their mRNAs, as assayed by Northern blot, Western blot, and IFA experiments. Mechanistically, the ZTA protein proved to directly interact with C/EBPalpha by coimmunoprecipitation in EBV-Akata cells and with DNA-bound C/EBPalpha in electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments, and the in vitro interaction domain encompassed the basic leucine zipper domain of ZTA. ZTA also specifically protected C/EBPalpha from degradation in a protein stability assay with a non-EBV-induced Akata cell proteasome extract. Furthermore, both C/EBPalpha and ZTA were found to specifically associate with the C/EBPalpha promoter in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, but the interaction with ZTA appeared to be mediated by C/EBPalpha because it was abolished by clearing with anti-C/EBPalpha antibody. ZTA did not bind to or activate the C/EBPalpha promoter directly but cooperatively enhanced the positive autoregulation of the C/EBPalpha promoter by cotransfected C/EBPalpha in transient luciferase reporter gene assays with Vero and HeLa cells as well as with DG75 B lymphocytes. Similarly, ZTA alone had little effect on the p21 promoter in transient reporter gene assays, but in the presence of cotransfected C/EBPalpha, ZTA enhanced the level of C/EBPalpha activation. This effect proved to require a previously unrecognized region in the proximal p21 promoter that contains three high-affinity C/EBPalpha binding sites. Finally, in C/EBPalpha-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), Ad-ZTA was unable to induce either p21 or G(1) arrest, whereas it was able to induce both in wild-type MEF. Overall, we conclude that C/EBPalpha is essential for at least one pathway of ZTA-induced G(1) arrest during EBV lytic-cycle DNA replication and that this process involves a physical piggyback interaction between ZTA and C/EBPalpha leading to greatly enhanced C/EBPalpha and p21 levels through both transcriptional and posttranslational mechanisms.

Abstract: The majority of human breast carcinomas exhibit luminal characteristics and as such, are most probably derived from progenitor cells within the luminal epithelial compartment. This has been subdivided recently into at least three luminal subtypes based on gene expression patterns. The value of knowing the cellular origin of individual tumours is clear and should aid in designing effective therapies. To do this, however, we need strategies aimed at defining the nature of stem and progenitor cell populations in the normal breast. In this review, we will discuss our technical approach for delineating the origin of the epithelial cell types. A major step forward was the purification of each cell type by the application of immunomagnetic cell sorting based on expression of lineage-specific surface antigens. We then developed chemically defined media that could support either the luminal epithelial or the myoepithelial cell phenotype in primary cultures. Having succeeded in continuous propagation presumably without loss of markers, we could show that a subset of the luminal epithelial cells could convert to myoepithelial cells, signifying the possible existence of a progenitor cell population. By combining the information on marker expression and in situ localization with immunomagnetic sorting and subsequent immortalization, we have identified and isolated a cytokeratin 19-positive suprabasal putative precursor cell in the luminal epithelial compartment and established representative cell lines. This suprabasal-derived epithelial cell line is able to generate both itself and differentiated luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells, and in addition, is able to form elaborate terminal duct lobular unit (TDLU)-like structures within a reconstituted basement membrane. As more than 90% of breast cancers arise in TDLUs and more than 90% are also cytokeratin 19-positive, we suggest that this cell population contains a breast-cancer progenitor.

Abstract: Antibody binding capacity (ABC) is a term representing a cell's ability to bind antibodies, correlating with the number of specific cellular antigens expressed on that cell. ABC allows magnetically conjugated antibodies to bind to the targeted cells, imparting a magnetophoretic mobility on each targeted cell. This enables sorting based on differences in the cell magnetophoretic mobility and, potentially, a magnetic separation based on the differences in the cell ABC values. A cell's ABC value is a particularly important factor in continuous magnetic cell separation. This work investigates the relationship between ABC and magnetic cell separation efficiency by injection of a suspension of immunomagnetically labeled quantum simply cellular calibration microbeads of known ABC values into fluid flowing through a quadrupole magnetic sorter. The elution profiles of the outlet streams were evaluated using UV detectors. Optimal separation flow rate was shown to correlate with the ABC of these microbeads. Comparing experimental and theoretical results, the theory correctly predicted maximum separation flow rates but overestimated the separation fractional recoveries.

Abstract: We identified vascular endothelial growth factor and type I collagen inducible protein (VCIP), also known as phosphatidic acid phosphatase 2b (PAP2b), in a functional assay of angiogenesis. VCIP/PAP2b exhibits an Arg–Gly–Asp (RGD) cell adhesion sequence. Immunoprecipitation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses demonstrated that VCIP-RGD is exposed to the outside of the cell surface. Retroviral transduction of VCIP induced cell aggregation/cell–cell interactions, modestly increased p120 catenin expression and promoted activation of the Fak, Akt and GSK3β protein kinases. Furthermore, expression of recombinant VCIP promoted adhesion, spreading and tyrosine phosphorylation of Fak, Shc, Cas and paxillin in endothelial cells. GST–VCIP-RGD, but not GST–VCIP-RGE, specifically interacted with a subset of integrins, and these interactions were effectively blocked by anti-αvβ3 and anti-α5β1 integrin antibodies, and by PAP2b/VCIP-derived peptides. Interestingly, PAP2b/VCIP is expressed in close proximity to vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand factor and αvβ3 integrin in tumor vasculatures. These findings demonstrate an unexpected function of PAP2b/VCIP, and represent an important step towards understanding the molecular mechanisms by which PAP2b/VCIP-induced cell–cell interactions regulate specific intracellular signaling pathways.

Abstract: Background. Maintenance of liver-specific functions has been shown to be stabilized by co-cultivation of hepatocytes with hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Because the limited lifespan of human HSC is a major hurdle to their use, the authors report here the amplification of human HSC populations in vitro by retroviral transfer of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Methods. Human HSC strain LI 90 cells were transduced with a retroviral vector SSR#197 expressing hTERT and green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA flanked by a pair of loxP. TWNT-1, one of SSR#197-immortalized HSC, was characterized. Differentiated liver functions were evaluated in an immortalized human hepatocyte NKNT-3-TWNT-1 co-culture system. Results. TWNT-1 cells showed differential functions of HSC, including uptake of acetylated low-density lipoproteins and synthesis of collagen type I and hepatocyte growth factor. Efficient excision of the retrovirally transferred hTERT and GFP cDNAs was achieved by TAT-mediated expression of the Cre recombinase and subsequent GFP-negative cell sorting. When co-cultured with TWNT-1 cells, NKNT-3 increased protein expression of the detoxifying cytochrome P450-associated protein isoenzymes 3A4 and 2C9 and urea synthesis. Conclusions. TWNT-1 cells could be valuable in the study of integrated liver functions and contribute to the optimization of liver cell therapies and bioartificial livers.

Abstract: Expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 gene product, can lead to MDR in tumors. However, the physiological role of P-gp in normal tissues is not well understood. Previous studies on multidrug-resistant cells have suggested changes in membrane fluidity and membrane potential associated with P-gp expression, but interpretation of these studies is difficult, because most experimental cells have been selected for long periods in the presence of cytotoxic drugs and may have other host alterations. Therefore, we created two cell lines in which a transfected human MDR1 cDNA is repressed by tetracycline and induced in the absence of tetracycline. One cell line was derived from a mouse embryonic fibroblast cultured from a double (mdr1a/1b) knockout mouse, and the other was from a human HeLa cell line. Analysis of the kinetics of expression of P-gp showed that the mRNA had a half-life of approximately 4 h, and the protein had a half-life of approximately 16 h. P-gp cell surface expression (measured with monoclonal antibody MRK-16) and P-gp function (measured with a fluorescent substrate, rhodamine 123) was characterized by using fluorescence-activated cell sorting. No differences in membrane potential using the fluorescent probe oxonol or in membrane "fluidity" using fluorescent anisotropy probe or electron spin resonance probe were observed in the tet-repressible P-gp-expressing cells. In contrast, several drug-selected cells that express P-gp showed an increase in membrane fluidity and membrane potential. These results suggest that expression of P-gp per se has little effect on membrane fluidity or membrane potential, and it does not have H(+) pump activity. The changes in these parameters observed in drug-selected cells must reflect other host adaptations to drug selection.

Abstract: Background Apoptosis is currently studied by flow cytometry with mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψmt) and membrane integrity fluorochromes. Rhodamine 123 and DiOC6(3) remain controversial to identify cells displaying a low Δψmt. JC-1 constitutes a good Δψmt indicator, due to a fluorescence shift from green to orange emission, according to the increase in Δψmt. Nevertheless, it is not feasible to analyze it simultaneously with propidium iodide. Among available fluorescent probes, TOTO-3 seems to be a good candidate for double staining with JC-1. Methods Cell death of HaCaT cells was induced by H2O2 and FasL. Samples were stained with DiOC6(3)/IP or JC-1/TOTO-3 then analyzed by flow cytometry. Results were supported by confocal microscopy analyses of mitochondrial membrane potential. Moreover, cell morphology was determined on the sorted subpopulations defined on the basis of staining (JC-1 versus TOTO-3). Results We found that JC-1 is a more efficient mitochondrial probe than DiOC6(3). After stress induction, the fluorescence level of JC-1 and TOTO-3 clearly defined three fluorescent subpopulations, respectively: (1) JC-1high and TOTO-3low, (2) JC-1low and TOTO-3medium, and (3) JC-1low and TOTO-3high. Their morphologic aspects after cell sorting indicated that they corresponded to three functional states (intact, apoptotic, and necrotic cells), and data were supported by caspase activity measurements. Conclusions We propose a reliable and efficient staining, with JC-1 and TOTO-3 to discriminate three functional cellular states: intact, apoptotic, and necrotic/late apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Cytometry Part A 54A:100–108, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract: Although the function of the cell surface protein stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) has not been identified, expression of this molecule is a characteristic of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cell populations. Expression of Sca-1, however, is not restricted to hematopoietic tissue. By RT-PCR and Western analysis, we found that Sca-1 is expressed in the adult mouse lung. Sca-1 immunohistochemistry revealed a linear staining pattern on the endothelial surface of large and small pulmonary arteries and veins and alveolar capillaries. Expression of Sca-1 in the pulmonary endothelium was confirmed by dual fluorescent microscopy on lung sections and by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of digested lung tissue; each of these methods showed colocalization with the endothelial marker platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1. In the kidney, Sca-1 expression was also noted in large vessels, but, in contrast to the lung, was not observed in capillaries. Overall, our data indicate that Sca-1 expression helps define the surface phenotype of endothelial cells throughout the pulmonary vasculature.

Abstract: Recent evidence suggests that cells from bone marrow can acquire neuroectodermal phenotypes in cell culture or after transplantation in animal models and in the human brain. However, isolation of the bone marrow cell subpopulation with neuronal differentiation potential remains a challenge. To isolate and expand neural progenitors from whole murine bone marrow, bone marrow was obtained from hind limb bone of C57BL6 mice and plated in culture with neuronal medium with basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor. After 5-7 days in culture, cellular spheres similar to brain neurospheres appeared either floating or attached to culture dishes. These spheres were collected, dissociated, and expanded. The bone marrow-derived spheres were positive for nestin as assessed by immunocytochemistry and by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Thy-1- and Sca-1-positive bone marrow cells selected by magnetic cell sorting resulted in a higher yield of nestin-positive spheres. After exposure to ne...

Abstract: The development of multicellular organisms requires the establishment of cell populations with different adhesion properties. In Drosophila, a cell-segregation mechanism underlies the maintenance of the anterior (A) and posterior (P) compartments of the wing imaginal disc. Although engrailed (en) activity contributes to the specification of the differential cell affinity between A and P cells, recent evidence suggests that cell sorting depends largely on the transduction of the Hh signal in A cells. The activator form of Cubitus interruptus (Ci), a transcription factor mediating Hh signaling, defines anterior specificity, indicating that Hh-dependent cell sorting requires Hh target gene expression. However, the identity of the gene(s) contributing to distinct A and P cell affinities is unknown. Here, we report a genetic screen based on the FRT/FLP system to search for genes involved in the correct establishment of the anteroposterior compartment boundary. By using double FRT chromosomes in combination with a wing-specific FLP source we screened 250,000 mutagenized chromosomes. Several complementation groups affecting wing patterning have been isolated, including new alleles of most known Hh-signaling components. Among these, we identified a class of patched (ptc) alleles exhibiting a novel phenotype. These results demonstrate the value of our setup in the identification of genes involved in distinct wing-patterning processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting cells includes a cell alignment portion applying a process to a cell-suspending fluid with a great number of cells and arraying the cells with a spacing between each cell, a cell information detecting portion detecting information on the cells, a cell sorting portion for sorting the cells based upon the information detected by the cell information detecting portion, a first passage of the cell alignment portion so as to let the cell-suspending fluid flow, and a second passage of the cell alignment portion, intersecting with the first passage so as to communicate therewith, letting a splitting fluid flow so as to split the flow of the cell-suspending fluid in the first passage and forming a great number of small cell-containing liquid drops.