Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 antigen expression in human haematopoietic cells during growth stimulation and differentiation.

By flow cytometric dual parameter analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the Ki-67 antigen a detailed cell cycle analysis can be performed. In this study the coordinated expression of these two growth-related antigens was investigated in human haematopoietic cells at entrance into the cell cycle as well as at exit from the cycle. In mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes entering the first cell cycle, the Ki-67 antigen was found to be expressed in S phase cells and not in G1 cells. Thus, the Ki-67 antigen expression in PCNA-positive S phase cells differed between continuously cycling cells and cells entering the cell cycle. Based on this difference, it was possible to visualize and evaluate the recruitment of cells into the first cell cycle from a resting stage. This new cell cycle parameter can give additional information concerning tumour growth. The Ki-67 antigen was also studied during different stages of G1 and was found to be expressed at high levels in early G1 cells compared with other parts of G1.