Circulating natural killer cells but not cytotoxic T lymphocytes are reduced in patients with active relapsing multiple sclerosis and little clinical disability as compared to controls

Triple antibody flow cytometry was used to compare the populations of CD56+ effector cells in the peripheral circulation of 29 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and little disability who were exacerbation-free for over 2 months and 29 healthy control subjects. Populations were characterized by two panels of antibodies (CD8, CD16, CD56 and CD3, CD8, CD56), as well as by size or granularity. In the MS patients, mature natural killer (NK) cells (CD3-CD8-CD56+) of small size and low granularity were significantly reduced compared to normals (P(0.0003). The quantities of other effector cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes, large granular lymphocytes and monocytes) were not different in MS patients compared to the control subjects. Also, we identified a previously unrecognized population of CD56+ monocytes (CD3-CD14+CD56+) in both the normal control subjects and the MS patients which would have been misclassified as NK cells using one or two antibody cytometry employed in previous studies.

Quantifying c-myc expression in c-myc antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide-treated leukemic and colon cancer cell lines

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (oligo) have been used to inhibit oncogene expression and have potential therapeutic applications. Using a 15-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligo (S-oligo), inhibition of c-myc oncogene expression and cellular proliferation is studied in two cell lines with c-myc overexpression: a colon cancer cell line (Colo 320 DM) and a promyelocytic leukemic cell line(HL-60). Quantitative analysis of c-myc mRNA transcript is performed by competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This utilizes an RNA competitive reference standard (CRS RNA) template that is identical to the native c-myc mRNA except for a short segment deletion to allow for differentiation of the two by gel electrophoresis. A fixed quantity of test mRNA and a series of known concentrations of CRS RNA template placed in the same test tubes under identical conditions are reverse transcribed and amplified by PCR. Since the reaction is competitive, the ratio of the PCR products reflects the ratio of the initial concentrations of the two templates. After gel electrophoresis, the two PCR products are quantified densitometrically. Treating Colo 320 DM and HL-60 cells with c-myc antisense oligo and S-oligo results in a 20- to 100-fold decrease in c-myc mRNA transcripts, respectively. This inhibition is dose dependent and sequence specific (c-myc sense and missense oligo have no effects). The quantitative decrease in c-myc mRNA is associated with corresponding inhibition of c-myc oncoprotein synthesis as demonstrated by flow cytometry and Western blots. Furthermore, there is inhibition of cellular proliferation of the respective cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amplification and detection of a Y-chromosome DNA sequence by fluorescence in situ polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry using cells in suspension

A procedure for amplifying and detecting nucleic acid sequences in situ using cells in suspension and flow cytometry has been developed. The process involves the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) protocol developed in our laboratory to detect the amplified PCR product. For these studies, a Y-chromosome specific repeat DNA sequence was amplified. Daudi cells, a B-cell lymphoma culture line established from a male, was used as a positive control and HL-60, a promyelocytic leukemia culture line established from a female, was used as a negative control. During the in situ PCR process cellular autofluorescence (noise) increases causing markedly reduced detection sensitivity of the probe (signal) bound to the amplified product within the positive cells. An autofluorescence reduction circuit was applied which was integrated into as standard bench top flow cytometer to reduce this noise, thereby producing a 10-fold increase in detection sensitivity of the signal. Without the application of the autofluorescence reduction circuit, the positive control histogram distribution was virtually indistinguishable from the negative control sample distributions. After autofluorescence reduction, the data showed that the Y-chromosome DNA was only amplified in the Daudi cells subjected to the complete in situ PCR protocol. This increased sensitivity also provided direct detection of the Y-chromosome repeat sequence, albeit exhibiting less signal compared to the amplified target after the in situ PCR.

Classification and regression trees for bone marrow immunophenotyping

Methods are needed to assist with automating three-color flow cytometric immunophenotyping of bone marrow from leukemia patients. Described is a method in which a normal bone marrow data set is used as a template against which to compare leukemic bone marrow data sets. This template is obtained using techniques of cluster analysis and cluster editing. Leukemic cells often inappropriately express antigens and appear in a different part of the multivariate data space than normal cells. To recognize the cells exhibiting inappropriate antigen expression, an artificial cluster of "cells" is added to the normal template. The "cells" in this cluster fill the space not occupied by normal cells. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis is used to train a classifier that can then be used to isolate the major cell types and the inappropriate expression cells in a leukemic bone marrow specimen.

Quantitative RT-PCR for measuring gene expression

Classical Northern blot analysis for measuring mRNA requires too many cells to be practical for cell sorting. Yet, measurement of gene expression in small subsets within a heterogeneous population of cells is often desired. The PCR in combination with prior reverse transcription (RT-PCR) of the mRNA of interest provides a means for measuring gene expression using as few as one cell. When RT-PCR is performed, the reliability of the data can be highly subjective due to the efficiency of both RT and PCR steps. This subjectivity can be eliminated by a technique for quantitating specific RNA molecules using an internal RNA competitive reference standard (RNA-CRS), which is identical to the sequence of interest except for a deletion of 80 bases. Here we illustrate a strategy for quantitative PCR using a RNA-CRS, synthesized solely using nonplasmid-based PCR techniques. The competitive reaction consists of a constant quantity of wild-type mRNA (from 100-1000 cells) added individually to tubes containing a serially decreasing amount of RNA-CRS. The RT-PCR is performed on these samples, then the resulting product is analyzed by gel electrophoresis and densitometry. The procedure for preparing the RNA-CRS and subsequent RT-PCR steps are described in detail.

Detection of HER-2/neu oncogene amplification in flow cytometry-sorted breast ductal cells by competitive polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND

The amplification and/or overexpression of the HER-2/neu oncogene has been proposed as an important prognostic marker in breast cancer. However, contradictory results from various groups regarding whether there is statistical significance in HER-2 amplification or overexpression in predicting overall and disease free survival in node positive versus node negative patients exist in the literature. Current assays on quantifying the HER-2 oncogene rely on DNA extracted from homogenized breast tissue. Not only is a large amount of tissue required, but also, the DNA extract is contaminated with DNA from stromal cells and leukocytes, leading to decreased specificity and sensitivity of the HER-2 assay. Improving the specificity (DNA from breast ductal cells) and the sensitivity (competitive polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) of the HER-2 amplification detection assay will help resolve some of these controversies.

METHODS

Using multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM), ductal cells from breast biopsies and fine needle aspirations (FNAs) are identified and selectively sorted using anti-cytokeratin, anti-HER-2 antibody labeling and DNA staining. HER-2 amplification in these sorted cells is then quantified by competitive DNA PCR using a competitive reference standard mutant template that is susceptible to the restriction enzyme Sma-1.

RESULTS

Applying this strategy, SK-BR-3, an HER-2 amplified breast cancer cell line, was found to have approximately 9x baseline HER-2 oncogene copies. In addition, MCF-7, a known HER-2 nonamplified breast cancer cell line, was found to have baseline HER-2 oncogene copies. In the 10 clinical breast samples tested, 4 of the 10 breast cancers were HER-2 amplified using as few as 1000 cells. The cytokeratin positive cells of these cancers, in contrast to the cytokeratin negative cells, have detectably higher HER-2 amplification (7.2 +/- 2.8x versus 3.2 +/- 1.1x, respectively). Hence, HER-2 gene amplification would have been underestimated if unsorted cells were used because of stromal dilution. In the cytokeratin positive cells that were HER-2 oncogene amplified, corresponding HER-2 oncoprotein overexpression was detected by FCM.

CONCLUSIONS

Using FCM, the ductal cell subpopulation of a breast specimen can be successfully sorted from breast biopsy and FNA specimens. Moreover, by applying the technique of competitive PCR, improved specificity and sensitivity in HER-2 oncogene amplification detection is achieved. The entire procedure can be accomplished in 1 day, allowing for a cost-effective assay and rapid turnaround time.

Multiparameter analysis of leukocytes by flow cytometry

The flow cytometry described can be performed using a single laser. Each laboratory has to establish its own experience base and standard operating procedures. The intent of this discussion has been to illustrate the procedures that will lead to good flow cytometry data acquisition and analysis and to illustrate problematic areas. The most important rule of all is to recognize when there is a problem. It is hoped the information provided herein will be of help in the recognition process.

A possible interpretation of some colony forming assays: 'developmental tree' model

The characteristic form of the probability distributions of in vitro grown colonies is analysed and experimental results are shown to be well approximated by an exponential dependence. It is argued that this type of dependence is very frequent in nature and does not provide sufficient evidence to resolve the dilemma whether the development of haemopoietic lineages proceeds according to a schema of 'progressive and stochastic restriction' or more limiting 'developmental tree' with some random control process involved. Detailed analysis of the experimental conditions and results is needed to provide insight into collective phenomena in cellular proliferation and differentiation. At present, the complexity of the phenomena involved prevents unique interpretation of the experimental distributions. Nevertheless, one particular quantitative model, based on a developmental tree concept, yields a set of the theoretical probability distributions, which are in a very good agreement with the experimental results.

Quantitation of c-myc gene amplification by a competitive PCR assay system

Gene amplification is a common event in the progression of human cancers. The detection and quantitation of certain amplified oncogenes has been shown to have prognostic importance in certain human malignancies. A method is described that utilizes the principles of competitive PCR for quantitation of the c-myc gene copy number in relation to the copy number of a reference gene (tissue plasminogen activator [t-PA] gene) located on the same chromosome (8) as the c-myc gene. This ratio gives the true level of amplification of the c-myc gene, accounting for variables such as cell number, cell cycle phase, and chromosome 8 ploidy. The determination of gene amplification depends on the precise measurement of the ratio of target and reference genes. An important feature of this assay is that the competitive reference standards used for target gene c-myc and reference gene t-PA have been linked to form a hybrid. This simple modification guarantees that both reference gene and target gene assay tubes get identical amounts of the competitive template for each gene, thereby eliminating a significant source of error. This method has the same desirable attributes of standard PCR in that very small sample sizes are required and that results can easily be obtained in < 24 hr. In addition, this technique does not require the use of radioactivity or expensive DNA detection kits, and thus, may give it wider applicability for the study of human cancers.

Flow cytometric DNA analysis of excised breast lesions: use of fresh tissue needle aspirates obtained under guidance with mammography of the specimen

Eighty consecutive biopsy specimens were studied to determine whether DNA analysis could be performed on fine-needle aspirates of excised clinically occult breast lesions obtained under guidance with mammography of the specimen before fixation to offer the advantages of fresh-tissue analysis. With use of single aspirates, cytologic analysis was possible in 50 cases (62%); DNA analysis was possible in 75 cases (94%). These methods combined offered no statistically significant increase in sensitivity for detection of malignancy compared with cytologic analysis alone. Forty-one percent of the analyzable invasive carcinomas showed aneuploidy. Aneuploidy and high S phase fractions of the invasive carcinomas showed no substantial correlation with patient age, nodal status, and size or appearance of the mammographic lesion. Aneuploidy was also seen in zero of four analyzable lesions showing ductal carcinoma in situ, two of 13 showing atypical hyperplasia (15%), and one of the 28 remaining benign lesions (4%). The authors conclude that this mammographic intervention is an effective means of obtaining fresh tissue samples of clinically occult lesions for DNA analysis.

The effect of anti-CD3 on the induction of non-MHC restricted cytolytic activity

The effects of an anti-CD3 mAb on induction of non-MHC restricted cytolysis was investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal donors (29) and cancer patients (18) were cultured in 100 U/ml of interleukin-2 (rIL-2) with and without anti-CD3 mAb (OKT3, 10 ng/ml) for the first 48 hours of incubation. Thereafter, both PBMC cultures were maintained on rIL-2 up to 20 days. PBMC proliferation was enhanced 17-fold in number by day 20 when anti-CD3 mAb and rIL-2 was present during the first 48 hours but only 3-fold by day 20 when rIL-2 alone was present. Concomitantly anti-CD3 mAb but not Lym-1, an isotype matched control, inhibited the induction of lytic activity against both NK sensitive (K562) and NK resistant (Raji) target cell lines. Thus the inhibitory effect is dependent on anti-CD3 mAb stimulating the CD3/TCR T-cell receptor complex. While lytic activity was dependent on the concentration of rIL-2, inhibition of the induction phase of non-MHC restricted lytic activity was independent of the concentration of rIL-2. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that treatment with the anti-CD3 mAb increased the percentage of CD3 positive cells, CD4 positive cells and especially CD25 positive cells, but decreased th percentage of CD56 positive cells. Supernatants from anti-CD3 mAb stimulated cultures also inhibited the induction of non-MHC restricted lytic activity. Lymphokine analysis showed that supernatants of anti-CD3 mAb stimulated cultures had higher levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. However, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma alone or in combination could not mediate the inhibitory effect. The inhibitory factor(s) was partially purified by sequential chromatography on matrices of controlled pore glass and Sepharose CL-6B. The molecular weight of the inhibitory factor(s) was less than 67K. These studies have identified a novel regulatory pathway controlling non-MHC restricted cytolysis. Perturbation of the T-cell CD3/TCR complex with the anti-CD3 mAb results in the secretion of a soluble mediator that down-regulates the induction of rIL-2 dependent non-MHC restricted cytolysis.

Functional characterization of mouse granulocytes and macrophages produced in vitro from bone marrow progenitors stimulated with interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)

Bone marrow from C3H/ouj mice was depleted to < 1% of CD11b+ granulocytes and macrophages using paramagnetic beads coated with sheep anti-rat antibodies. CD11b- cells, enriched three- to fourfold in colony-forming cells, were stimulated in liquid culture with interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Cultures stimulated with IL-3 or GM-CSF increased cell numbers fourfold at 7 days, with the CD11b+ population increasing to 63% +/- 9% (n = 5) with IL-3 or 96% +/- 1% (n = 4) cells with GM-CSF. Functional responsiveness of the granulocytes and macrophages was assessed by flow cytometry in an oxidative burst assay using dichlorofluorescein (DCF) and a quantitative phagocytosis assay using opsonized fluorescent beads. Granulocytes and macrophages, identified by light scatter characteristics and allophycocyanine staining of CD11b, were assayed simultaneously with granulocytes from fresh mouse bone marrow and peripheral blood. GM-CSF-generated CD11b+ cells had higher oxidative responses than similar populations produced in response to IL-3. The oxidative burst of these in vitro generated CD11b+ populations was similar to the equivalent fresh bone marrow population. Oxidative burst responses of peripheral blood phagocytic cells could not be adequately measured in this system. Peripheral blood CD11b+ cells were the most phagocytic, followed by GM-CSF-stimulated CD11b+ cells; IL-3-stimulated and bone marrow CD11b+ cells were the least phagocytic. These data demonstrate that functional granulocytes can be produced in vitro using growth factors and that GM-CSF produces a more responsive cell than IL-3.

Inhibitory role of interleukin-6 in macrophage proliferation

We have shown that there are two forms of progenitor cells for macrophages. The first is characterized by a short lag period (about 1 day) before initiating the cell cycle, forms large colonies, is found in the bone marrow, and is in the nonadherent fraction. The second progenitor cell, found primarily in the adherent cell fraction of bone marrow and in peripheral tissues, forms small colonies after 14 days. We investigated the effect of combining interleukin-6 (IL-6) with colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-I) on macrophage proliferation. We found that IL-6 inhibited the proliferation of both types of progenitor cells, as well as more differentiated macrophages. This inhibitory effect was reversible because macrophages could initiate a proliferative response after removal of IL-6 from the culture medium. The introduction of anti-IL-6 into macrophage cultures containing IL-6 allowed proliferation, indicating that the effect was IL-6 specific. These results suggest that IL-6 may play a regulatory role in vivo by suppressing the production of bone marrow and tissue macrophages.

Maximum-likelihood analysis of human T-cell X chromosome inactivation patterns: normal women versus carriers of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency

Lymphocytes of female carriers of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (XSCID; McKusick 300400; HGM genetic locus designation SCIDX1) exhibit nonrandom X chromosome inactivation. This phenomenon reflects a tissue-specific selective disadvantage for lymphocyte progenitors with an XSCID mutation on the active X chromosome and presumably is analogous to the process that inhibits T-cell development in affected boys with a single XSCID-bearing X chromosome. We investigated the specificity of T-cell X chromosome inactivation pattern as an indicator of immunodeficiency carrier status, as follows: X-inactivation ratios determined in a control group of noncarrier women exhibited a wide range, 20%-86% of T-cells with the paternal X active. Maximum-likelihood analysis of these data suggested that, in humans, mature T-cells are derived from a small pool of only about 10 randomly inactivated stem cells. Despite the wide variability in normal X-inactivation ratios, X inactivation in XSCID carriers appeared far more markedly skewed. Therefore a maximum-likelihood odds-ratio test was developed and proved to be successful in predicting the carrier status of women in XSCID pedigrees. This test has made it possible to identify XSCID carriers among mothers of boys with the heterogeneous syndrome of sporadic severe combined immunodeficiency.

Clinical applications of flow cytometry. Immunologic methods for measuring cell membrane and cytoplasmic antigens

Flow cytometric analysis is the method of choice for classifying leukemia and lymphomas. When combined with other clinical and morphometric data, a definitive diagnosis can be made in the most difficult cases. By using a combination of specific antibodies that are each labeled with a different fluorochrome, panels can be designed to follow residual disease with greater precision than any other method. The detection of intracellular proteins is less well developed. Because antibodies can bind nonspecifically to dead cell components, there may be considerable biological noise. This noise reduces the sensitivity for detecting the desired protein within the cell. Until this problem is solved, it is likely that other methods may provide more reliable data. The major advantages of flow cytometry are rapid cell processing, cell by cell analysis, and the simultaneous evaluation of multiple markers. The latter is especially important because more tests can be performed using less clinical material. When flow cytometric results are combined with histologic results, the confidence in professional interpretation is far greater than either can provide alone. It is likely that the future application of these approaches will significantly improve diagnosis and patient care.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization en suspension (FISHES) using digoxigenin-labeled probes and flow cytometry

Fluorescent in situ hybridization has become a major technique for visualizing genetic material in fixed cells. Currently, many systems utilize the hybridization of labeled molecular probes to cells that are attached to slides. We have developed a technique that allows for in situ hybridization to be performed using cells in suspension. By using digoxigenin-labeled DNA probes and a fluoresceinated antibody directed against the digoxigenin, we can measure the resulting signal on a flow cytometer and the cells can be attached to microscope slides for visual analysis.

Effects of prestorage white cell-reduction of apheresis platelets on platelet glycoprotein Ib and von Willebrand factor

Twenty plateletpheresis components were harvested from 11 healthy donors and stored in polyolefin bags on a horizontal flatbed agitator at 22 degrees C. After 24 hours, white cells were reduced in one aliquot by centrifugation while the other aliquot was stored unaltered. Samples were obtained aseptically from each of these platelets at intervals for up to 10 days, and measurements were made of platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) by both flow cytometry and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, of ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation by impedance aggregometry, and of plasma and platelet von Willebrand factor (vWF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Storage of platelets under these conditions was associated with only minor decreases in surface GPIb, intraplatelet vWF, and ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation, and no differences were observed between the white cell-reduced and nonreduced aliquots. No benefit of white cell reduction in such components before prolonged storage is evident in the vWF-platelet interaction.

Murine eosinophil granulocytes bind the murine macrophage-monocyte specific monoclonal antibody F4/80

Studies designed to identify a panel of monoclonal antibodies useful for the separation of murine eosinophil myeloid progenitors revealed that F4/80, an antigen heretofore thought to be expressed only by murine monocyte/macrophage lineage cells, was expressed by eosinophil granulocytes. Eosinophils from several strains of mice stained positively with specific antibody for the epitope. A novel pathway for myeloid differentiation is proposed in which neutrophil progenitors exit a common lineage prior to a common progenitor of monocytes and eosinophils. Moreover, the results demonstrate that binding of anti-F4/80 can no longer be viewed as exclusive for mononuclear phagocytes.

The gene encoding human TFE3, a transcription factor that binds the immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer, maps to Xp11.22

TFE3, a member of the helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors, binds to the microE3 motif of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain enhancer and is expressed in many cell types. We have localized human TFE3 to the proximal short arm of the X chromosome using a somatic cell hybrid panel. A frequent RsaI RFLP detected by the TFE3 cDNA was found and used to confirm this location by linkage analysis in 20 pedigrees. Two-point and multipoint lod scores place TFE3 near markers in Xp11.22 with the most likely order DXS7-DXS255-TFE3-DXS146-DXS14.

Identification and comparison of CD34-positive cells and their subpopulations from normal peripheral blood and bone marrow using multicolor flow cytometry

Four-color flow cytometry was used with a cocktail of antibodies to identify and isolate CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors from normal human peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM). Mature cells that did not contain colony forming cells were resolved from immature cells using antibodies for T lymphocytes (CD3), B lymphocytes (CD20), monocytes (CD14), and granulocytes (CD11b). Immature cells were subdivided based on the expression of antigens found on hematopoietic progenitors (CD34, HLA-DR, CD33, CD19, CD45, CD71, CD10, and CD7). CD34+ cells were present in the circulation in about one-tenth the concentration of BM (0.2% v 1.8%) and had a different spectrum of antigen expression. A higher proportion of PB-CD34+ cells expressed the CD33 myeloid antigen (84% v 43%) and expressed higher levels of the pan leukocyte antigen CD45 than BM-CD34+ cells. Only a small fraction of PB-CD34+ cells expressed CD71 (transferrin receptors) (17%) while 94% of BM-CD34+ expressed CD71+. The proportion of PB-CD34+ cells expressing the B-cell antigens CD19 (10%) and CD10 (3%) was not significantly different from BM-CD34+ cells (14% and 17%, respectively). Few CD34+ cells in BM (2.7%) or PB (7%) expressed the T-cell antigen CD7. CD34+ cells were found to be predominantly HLA-DR+, with a wide range of intensity. These studies show that CD34+ cells and their subsets can be identified in normal PB and that the relative frequency of these cells and their subpopulations differs in PB versus BM.

Stochastic versus deterministic in haemopoiesis: what is what?

'Stochastic' models of haemopoiesis are discussed in juxtaposition to 'deterministic' concepts. It is argued that certain characteristic features attributed to stochastic models are conjectures, not supported by the observations quoted to provide an experimental basis: for example, an assumption of extrinsic control and another assumption that such control is inaccessible to external influences up to the very latest stages of cell development. Furthermore, it is argued that quantitative relationships between early progenitors (stem cells) and the number of colonies produced in vitro, cited as evidence supporting the proliferation and differentiation scheme of the stochastic model of random restriction, are also compatible with other models, providing that some sufficiently complex mechanism is involved in the control process. A simple model based on the principle of ordered development (usually denoted 'proliferation tree') is presented as an example and the calculated distributions are shown to have the same form as the experimental ones.

Expression of the c-fgr and hck protein-tyrosine kinases in acute myeloid leukemic blasts is associated with early commitment and differentiation events in the monocytic and granulocytic lineages

Two members of the src proto-oncogene family of intracellular tyrosine kinases, c-fgr and hck, are selectively expressed in differentiated myeloid cells. To study the expression of these genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to determine the specific myeloid lineages and stages of myeloid differentiation at which the expression of these genes is acquired, we used a series of 79 cases of de novo AML as a differentiation model. The levels of c-fgr, hck, and c-fms (encoding the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor) mRNA transcripts were correlated with the presence of specific cell surface antigens and the morphologic and cytochemical features in these AML blasts. Relatively undifferentiated leukemic myeloblasts with an HLA-DR, CD34, CD33, CD13+/- cell surface immunophenotype (French-American-British [FAB] M1 or M2) were characterized by a lack of c-fms and c-fgr expression, while low levels of c-fms and c-fgr could be detected in undifferentiated myeloblasts (FAB M1 or M2), which also expressed CD14 at low antigen density. The hck transcripts were either undetectable in these cells or were expressed at low levels. In contrast, only hck mRNA transcripts could be identified in blasts with progranulocytic morphology (FAB M3), while c-fms, c-fgr, and hck were all expressed at high levels in blasts with differentiated myelomonocytic or monocytic features (FAB M4 and M5). No c-fms, c-fgr, or hck transcripts were evident in leukemic cells of the erythroid lineage (FAB M6). When undifferentiated leukemic myeloblasts (HLA-DR, CD34, and CD33) were induced to differentiate in vitro to cells with monocytic characteristics, the expression of c-fms, c-fgr, and the CD14 cell surface antigen were induced to high levels, accompanied by the acquisition of hck and CD13 expression. In contrast, when HLA-DR, CD34, and CD33 blasts were induced to differentiate in vitro to cells with granulocytic characteristics, only hck and CD13 expression were induced. Our data suggest that the acquisition of c-fgr and/or hck expression is associated with early commitment and differentiation events in distinct myeloid lineages. Assessment of the expression of these kinases may provide a molecular tool to assign lineage in AML in conjunction with morphology, cytochemistry, and cell surface antigen expression.