Lin^-Sca1⁺kit^- bone marrow cells contain early lymphoid-committed precursors that are distinct from common lymphoid progenitors

The significance of a population in mouse bone marrow of lineage-negative (Lin^-), Sca1-positive, c-kit-negative (LSK^-) cells, which is reported to be devoid of long-term repopulation capacity or myeloid potential, is unknown. In this study, we show that the LSK^- population is composed of several subsets defined by the expression of flt3, CD25, and IL-7Rα. The first subset was CD25^- and more than 90% expressed either flt3, IL-7Rα, or both. The CD25^-LSK ^- population had T cell, B cell, and NK cell potential in vivo, and most of this activity was localized in the flt3⁺ subset, irrespective of the expression of IL-7Rα. Although lymphoid potential of flt3 ⁺LSK^- cells in vivo was 3-fold lower than that of lin ^-Sca1^lowkit^lowIL7Rα⁺ common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs), their cloning efficiency in vitro was 10-fold lower than that of CLPs. Furthermore, although the myeloid potential of flt3 ⁺LSK^- cells was 10-fold lower than that of CLPs in the absence of M-CSF, the relative myeloid potential of both populations was similar in its presence. These observations suggest differential growth factor requirements of both populations. The second subset of LSK^- cells was homogeneously CD25⁺flt3^-IL7Rα⁺ and could be generated from both CD25^-LSK^- cells and from CLPs, but did not engraft in immunodeficient Rag1^-/- or Rag1 ^-/-_γc^-/- hosts. This population, of which the significance is unclear, was increased in Rag1^-/- mice and in old mice. Thus, the LSK^- population is phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous and contains early lymphoid-committed precursors. Our findings imply that the early stages of lymphoid commitment are more complex than was thus far assumed.