Open AccessMagnetic Cell Sorting Purification of Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells Stably Expressing Truncated Human CD4 as Surface Marker
Author(s) -
David Robert,
Groebner Michael,
Franz WolfgangMichael
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1634/stemcells.2004-0177
Subject(s) - biology , embryoid body , embryonic stem cell , cell sorting , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , transplantation , transfection , green fluorescent protein , cellular differentiation , fusion protein , flow cytometry , cell culture , adult stem cell , biochemistry , recombinant dna , genetics , gene , medicine , surgery
Abstract Embryonic stem (ES) cells offer great potential in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Clinical applications are still hampered by the lack of protocols for gentle, high‐yield isolation of specific cell types for transplantation expressing no immunogenic markers. We describe labeling of stably transfected ES cells expressing a human CD4 molecule lacking its intracellular domain (ΔCD4) under control of the phosphoglycerate kinase promoter for magnetic cell sorting (MACS). To track the labeled ES cells, we fused ΔCD4 to an intracellular enhanced green fluorescent protein domain (ΔCD4EGFP). We showed functionality of the membrane‐bound fluorescent fusion protein and its suitability for MACS leading to purities greater than 97%. Likewise, expression of ΔCD4 yielded up to 98.5% positive cells independently of their differentiation state. Purities were not limited by the initial percentage of ΔCD4 + cells, ranging from 0.6%–16%. The viability of MACS‐selected cells was demonstrated by reaggregation and de novo formation of embryoid bodies developing all three germ layers. Thus, expression of ΔCD4 in differentiated ES cells may enable rapid, high‐yield purification of a desired cell type for tissue engineering and transplantation studies.