OBJECTIVETo compare the differentiation ability difference of hematopoietic, mesenchymal and endothelial potential between CD41⁺ cells derived from the mouse aorta-gonadmesonephros (AGM) region, yolk sac (YS) and embryonic circulating blood (CB).

METHODSCD41⁺ cells were sorted from AGM, YS and CB. The CD45 and c-kit expression were studied in CD41⁺ cells by flow cytometry. IL-3 and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) treatment together with semi solid culture were used to assess hematopoietic potential difference of CD41⁺ cells. Immunofluorescence staining of α-SMA was used to assess mesenchymal potential difference. The endothelial cell induction system was used to assess endothelial potential difference.

RESULTSThe proportions of CD45+ cells in CD41⁺ population were 51.9% (AGM), 45.8% (YS) and 22.2% (CB), respectively, while those of c-kit⁺ cells were 40.0% (AGM), 39.6% (YS) and 36.2% (CB), respectively. After stimulated by IL-3 factor, the number of total colonies increased in all three groups-derived CD41⁺ cells compared to that of unstimulated group[(14.1±1.9) vs (1.2±0.2), (32.4±1.1) vs (18.4±2.2) and (41.8±0.9) vs (10.4±1.8)], (P<0.01). After stimulated by BMP-4 factor, compared to unstimulated group, CFU-Mix colony number in CD41⁺ cells from AGM region and YS were significantly decreased[(0.5±0.6) vs (3.2±0.8), (1.3±0.7) vs (7.4±1.7)](P<0.01), but there was no difference in CB group[(2.5±0.5) vs (3.9±1.5)](P>0.01). The mesenchymal marker α-SMA was highly expressed in CD41⁺ cells from AGM region and YS, but lowly expressed in CD41⁺ cells from CB.

CONCLUSIONThere are some differences between CD41⁺ cells in AGM region, YS and CB on hematopoietic cell surface marker expression, hematopoietic colony formation with IL-3 and BMP-4 stimulation.