Expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers in <i>Sca-1⁺/CD34^+,⁻</i> cells.

Abstract

<p><b>Panel A:</b> The expression of epithelial and mesenchymal transcripts was tested by analytical PCR and is illustrated in a hierarchical cluster heatmap. The analysis shows that the majority of <i>Sca-1⁺/CD34⁺</i> cells (light grey) show similar marker expression as <i>Sca-1^−/CD34⁺</i> cells (white), while all <i>Sca-1⁺/CD34</i>⁻ cells (dark grey) are located in the second branch. Red squares indicate specific bands in analytical PCR, black squares indicate negative PCR results. <b>Panel B:</b> FACS analysis reveals EpCAM⁺/Pdgfrα⁺ subpopulation within Sca-1⁺/CD34^−/CD31^−/CD45⁻ cells. For each of 5 mice, 5×10⁶ murine lung cells were isolated from lung explants and stained with antibodies directed against Sca-1, CD34, CD31, CD45, Pdgfrα and Epcam. While Sca-1⁺/CD34⁻ cells consistently showed Epcam expression, Pdgfrα expression was predominantly found in Sca-1⁺/CD34⁺ cells. However, Sca-1⁺/CD34^−/Epcam⁺ cells could be divided in two major subpopulations defined by Pdgfrα expression. Relative quantification is given for corresponding selected subpopulation as indicated by arrows. <b>Panel C:</b> Scatter plots of the detected cell populations for mouse 5, only.</p