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Aberrant Ki-67 expression in normal bone marrow revealed by multiparameter flow cytometric analysis
D R Van Bockstaele1, J Lan, H W Snoeck
1University of Antiwerp (UZA), Laboratory for Experimental Hematology, Edegem, Belgium.
Cytometry
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Ki-67 is a proliferation marker, but this study found it is not expressed in normal bone marrow cells. Its expression is observed in stressed or cultured cells, suggesting loss during differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Ki-67 is a widely used marker for cell proliferation.
- Its reactivity has been primarily tested on limited experimental models.
- The universal validity of Ki-67 as a proliferation marker is questioned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reactivity of the Ki-67 antibody in normal bone marrow (BM) samples.
- To compare Ki-67 expression in steady-state versus stimulated hematopoietic cells.
- To validate Ki-67 as a reliable proliferation marker in native bone marrow.
Main Methods:
- Multiparameter flow cytometry was used to analyze normal bone marrow samples.
- Ki-67 antibody reactivity was assessed on both steady-state and cultured bone marrow cells.
- Cellular proliferation was confirmed by DNA content analysis.
Main Results:
- Ki-67 positivity was observed in cultured and stimulated bone marrow cells.
- No convincing Ki-67 positivity was detected in the nuclei of normal, steady-state bone marrow cells.
- A discrepancy exists between Ki-67 expression in vitro and in vivo under physiological conditions.
Conclusions:
- Ki-67 expression may be lost as bone marrow cells differentiate under steady-state conditions.
- The study challenges the 'universal' applicability of Ki-67 as a proliferation marker in native bone marrow.
- Further investigation is needed to understand Ki-67 regulation during hematopoiesis.