Expression profiling of circulating non-red blood cells in embryonic blood

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In addition to erythrocytes, embryonic blood contains other differentiated cell lineages and potential progenitor or stem cells homed to changing niches as the embryo develops. Using chicken as a model system, we have isolated an enriched pool of circulating non red blood cells (nRBCs) from E4 and E6 embryos; a transition period when definitive hematopoietic lineages are being specified in the peri-aortic region.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Transcriptome analysis of both nRBC and RBC enriched populations was performed using chicken Affymetrix gene expression arrays. Comparison of transcript profiles of these two populations, with verification by RT-PCR, reveals in nRBCs an expression signature indicative of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and progenitor cells of myeloid and lymphoid lineages, as well as a number of previously undescribed genes possibly involved in progenitor and stem cell maintenance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This data indicates that early circulating embryonic blood contains a full array of hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells. Future studies on their heterogeneity and differentiation potentials may provide a useful alternative to ES cells and perinatal blood.</p

FACS profile of fractionated blood stained with PE-conjugated vitronectin receptor antibody 23C6

The number of positive cells is significantly increased in nRBCs.<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Expression profiling of circulating non-red blood cells in embryonic blood"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-213X/8/21</p><p>BMC Developmental Biology 2008;8():21-21.</p><p>Published online 27 Feb 2008</p><p>PMCID:PMC2277405.</p><p></p