Objective: To observe the difference in surface morphology and structure between CD34(+) cells from normal human subjects and from patients with leukemia.
Methods: Bone marrow mononuclear cells from 3 normal human subjects and 3 patients with M2b leukemia were collected by Percoll gradient centrifugation, followed by purification of CD34(+) cells by means of immunomagnetic bead separation (MiniMAC) and examination with flow cytometry. The morphology of the cells were then observed with optical and atomic force microscope (AFM) in air.
Results: No significant difference was identified between the two cells under optical microscope. With atomic force microscope, numerous microvilli were observed on the surface of CD34(+) cells, and the normal cells and those from the leukemic patients showed significant difference in terms of the roughness of the cell surface.
Conclusion: Normal CD34(+) cells have more rough and erosive surface structure than leukemic CD34+ cells (M2b).