IDENTIFICATION OF MEGAKARYOCYTES, MACROPHAGES, AND EOSINOPHILS IN COLONIES OF HUMAN-BONE MARROW CONTAINING NEUTROPHILIC GRANULOCYTES AND ERYTHROBLASTS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 53  (5) , 1023-1027
Abstract
Pluripotent hemopoietic progenitors in human bone marrow were identified by their ability to give rise in culture to colonies that contain more than 1 lineage of hemopoietic differentiation. Growth of these mixed colonies was supported by media conditioned by leukocytes in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA-LCM) and erythropoietin. They were readily recognized by direct microscopic observation because of their composition of colorless cells and cells with a red appearance typical for Hb. Individual mixed colonies (73) from 6 individuals were prepared by cytocentrifugation for further cytological examination. Neutrophilic granulocytes, erythroblasts and megakaryocytes were present in 16 of the 73 colonies, as identified by positive reaction for acid phosphatase. Macrophages were found in 24 and eosinophils in 6 of the 73 colonies.