Characterization of FDCP-2, a cloned hemopoietic progenitor cell deficient in homing protein.

The progenitor cell clone, FDCP-2, was found to lack the expression of membrane homing lectin that recognizes galactosyl and mannosyl residues of glycoconjugate on the surface of hemopoietic stroma. Adherence of these cells to hemopoietic stroma is significantly less than that of either normal clones B6SUt or FDCP-1, although their adherence to nonhemopoietic stroma 3T3 is preserved. As determined by electron microscopy, the cells lack microvilli, which in their normal counterparts serve to mediate the contact and adherence to hemopoietic stroma. This cell line can be useful as a negative control in elucidating the molecular basis of the homing phenomenon and its function in the regulation of hemopoiesis.