lin−/c-kit+ murine CPCs have been previously
described[11 (link)].
Lin−/c-kit+ CPCs (henceforth referred to simply
as CPCs) were isolated from GFP transgenic mice, RFP transgenic mice, and
wild-type (WT) mice (male, C57BL6, 8–10 weeks of age). Hearts were finely
minced and cultured to establish cell outgrowth cultures over ~7 days
using growth medium (F12 K medium supplemented with bFGF, LIF, and 10% FBS).
CPCs were isolated from the cell outgrowth of the explants by sequential sorting
procedures including depletion of mature hematopoietic lin+ cells and
sorting for c-kit with a specific anti-c-kit antibody (Santa Cruz) and magnetic
immunobeads (Miltenyi). To maximize the purity of the preparation, the c-kit
sorting procedure was repeated three consecutive times at 14-day intervals. The
lin−/c-kit+ cells were cultured, and the purity
of the sorted cells was confirmed quantitatively by flow cytometry and
immunofluorescent staining before use. In all studies, the CPCs used for cell
transplantation in vivo were passaged 4–6 times [11 (link)].