Sorted Lin⁻CD34⁺CD38⁺ and Lin⁻CD34⁻CD38⁻ cells can become CD34⁺CD38⁻ during ex vivo culture.

This representative experiment (n = 3) shows a Lin⁻CB sample sorted to obtain CD34⁺CD38⁺ (A), CD34⁻CD38⁻ (D), and CD34⁺CD38⁻ (G) fractions. These fractions were individually cultured for 4 days in ex vivo expansion conditions. Their CD34/CD38 phenotypes after 4 days in culture are shown in (B), (E), and (H), respectively. Cultured cells labeled with PerCP- and PE-conjugated mouse immunoglobulin G as isotype controls are shown in (C), (F), and (I), respectively.