Enhanced thymic repopulation and expansion of HPCs expressing C3G-F. (A) Lin− BM cells (HPCs) from B6 mice pretreated with 5-fluorouracil were infected with empty (Vect) or C3G-F–containing retrovirus, and transplanted into lethally irradiated B6 mice (2 × 104 cells/head) together with normal rescuing BM cells (2 × 105 cells/head). Twelve weeks later, the proportions and absolute numbers of GFP+ thymocytes as well as blood leukocyte counts were determined. Representative FACS profiles (top panel) and summary of the results (bottom panel) are indicated. Bars represent the mean values, and statistical analysis was done by Student t test. (B) Thymocytes were multicolor analyzed for GFP and indicated antibodies with the use of FACScan; the representative profiles in GFP+ population are shown. CD25/CD44 expression profiles varied in the recipients of C3G-F+ HPCs, and 3 typical profiles (1-3) are indicated. Filled areas in the histograms represent the control staining.
