Fig. 2.

Balls and arrows diagram symbolizing the cellular lineages characterized in the adult carotid body from multipotent stem cells. Expression of the different markers spanning the different cells is depicted in triangles close to the corresponding circles. Cells with proliferative potential have curved arrows pointing to themselves. GFAP+ multipotent type II cells, and nestin+ multipotent progenitors (prior to the expression of lineage-specific markers), are common for both lineages and interchangeable depending on the presence of stimuli. The neuronal lineage gives rise to TH+ mature glomus cells, while the ectomesenchymal lineage gives rise to either CD31+ endothelial cells (EC) or SMA+ smooth muscle cells and perycytes (not included in the diagram)