Fig 2. In vitro proliferation of CD34/CD99 subpopulations.

(A) T-ALL cells (pts 1, 4–6 and 9) were stained with antibodies against CD34, CD99 and CD7, the subpopulations were sorted based on CD34/CD99 expression and the proliferative ability was assessed in long-term culture. Cultures were maintained with weekly half-media changes. Absolute cell counts, derived from each sorted population and unsorted controls, were determined by flow cytometry at weeks 1, 3, 5 and 6. (A) Proportions of total viable cells, represented by each sorted population, were calculated using absolute cell count values at the time points indicated. Data expressed as mean ± SD, * P = 0.02, ** P≤0.005, *** P = 0.0004. (B) Maintenance and expansion of unsorted cells and each sorted subpopulation over the time course of the culture. NC, nucleated cells.