CHARACTERIZATION OF CIRCULATING ERYTHROID PROGENITOR CELLS IN HUMAN NEWBORN BLOOD

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  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 97  (3) , 322-331
Abstract
The in vitro growth pattern of erythroid progenitors in cord blood was assayed by the methyl cellulose culture system. The erythroid nature of culture colonies was determined by Soret band examination for Hb and by immunofluorescence for specific membrane protein spectrin, as well as by conventional techniques. In contrast to adult blood cultures, small but definite erythroid colony growth was found in the cultures of cord blood progenitors in the absence of added Ep (endogenous erythroid colonies). In the presence of Ep, increased progenitor numbers were found in cord blood compared with adult blood. Comparison of cultures from newborns, normal adults, anemic adults, and adults with PV [polycythemia vera] and myelofibrosis showed that endogenous erythroid colonies are also found in cultures of PV and myelofibrosis patients but not in cultures of normal cells and cells from anemic subjects. The physiologic relevance of these endogenous colony-forming cells in newborn blood is unknown, they may be related to residual extramedullary erythropoiesis at birth.