The distribution of colony‐forming cells among spleen colonies

TLDR

Progenitor cells that form colonies in irradiated mouse spleens can self‑renew, proliferate extensively, and differentiate, satisfying the three criteria for stem‑cell studies. The distribution of colony‑forming cells per colony is extremely heterogeneous, indicating lax control of self‑renewal, and these cells can be considered a class of progenitor cells, making the spleen colony method a quantitative detection tool. © 1963 Wiley‑Liss, Inc., Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology.

Abstract

Progenitor cells that are recognized by their ability to form colonies of descendants in the spleens of irradiated mice have the capacity for self-renewal. The distribution of new colony-forming cells per colony is extremely heterogeneous, indicating lax control of self-renewal. The capacities of colony-forming cells for self-renewal, for extensive proliferation, and for giving rise to differentiated descendants, fulfill three requirements for studies of stem cells. Thus, colony-forming cells may be considered to be class (though not necessarily the only class) of such progenitor cells, and the spleen colony method is a quantitative method for their detection. Journal of Cellular and Comparative Physiology copyright 1963 Wiley-Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company (www.interscience.Wiley.com).