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Updated: May 14, 2026

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 21, 2012
Effect of bFGF on the MCF-7 Cell Cycle with CD44(+)/CD24(-): Promoting the G0/G1→G2/S Transition
Zhen-Lin Yang1, Kai Cheng, Zhao-Dong Han
1The First Affilated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China.
Purpose:
Few cells with stem cell characteristics possess capabilities of self-renewal and differentiation, which leads to high tumorigenesis and resistance to standard chemotherapeutic agents. These cells are mostly quiescent, and arrest occurs at the mitotic G0/G1 phase in mitosis. We explored the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the MCF-7 cell cycle with CD44(+)/CD24(-).
Methods:
Cancer-initiating cells were propagated as mammospheres. The CD44(+)/CD24(-) subpopulation was sorted by a fluorescence activating cell sorter-Vantage flow cytometer. A cell cycle analysis was performed with different bFGF concentrations.
Results:
Differences in the CD44(+)/CD24(-) cell proliferation under different bFGF concentrations were observed (p=0.001). When the bFGF concentration was increased, the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) at G0/G1 decreased (p=0.023).
Conclusion:
We conclude that bFGF may sustain CD44(+)/CD24(-) cell proliferation and could promote cell progression through the G0/G1→G2/S phase transition.
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