Human Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells Are Present in Normal Peripheral Blood of Young, Middle-Aged, and Aged Subjects

Figure 3

Immunofluorescence analysis of PB-derived VSELs. A typical triple-staining with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) (blue: nuclei), fluorescein isothiocyanate- (FITC-) CD45 (green fluorescence), and tetramethylrhodamine-5-isothiocyanate- (TRITC-) SSEA-4⁻, TRA-1-81, OCT-4, or NANOG (red) shows (a) VSELs: small CD45⁻ cells NANOG⁺ and leukocytes: greater CD45⁺ NANOG⁻ cells and (b) VSELs: CD45⁻ cells which express OCT-4 in nuclei or TRA-1-81 and SSEA-4 on the surface.

(a)

(b)