Calculation of S-phase numbers of four major cell categories in human bone marrow from DNA-flow cytometry and counterflow centrifugation data.

Fractionation of heterogeneous cell populations into a number of fractions differing in cell size and composition, followed by measurement of DNA profiles and differential morphology of the samples allows the calculation, using a mathematical deconvolution procedure, of the cell proliferation of the individual categories. The method was applied to human bone marrow, fractionated by counterflow centrifugation into 10 to 15 fractions. Calculated percentage of S-phase cells in four major categories, including myeloid, erythroid, monocytic, and lymphoid cells, were in good agreement with data obtained by tritiated thymidine autoradiography.