Human CD133 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed on CD34+ and CD34- multipotent stem and progenitor cells that are involved in hematopoiesis. Unlike CD34+ cells, bone marrow CD133+ cells are involved in vasculogenesis giving rise to endothelial cell precursors. Additionally, bone marrow CD133+ hematopoietic cells have been found to differentiate in vitro to cells of the ectodermal and mesodermal lineages implying that these cells have the ability to give rise to cells of non-hematopoietic lineages.

Bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) are separated from whole bone marrow by a density gradient centrifugation protocol. CD133+ stem and progenitor cells are positively selected using immunomagnetic anti-CD133 (clone AC133) microbeads from the MNC population. CD133+ cells are characterized by flow cytometry to ensure a highly pure and viable cell population.

Cells were obtained using Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved consent forms and protocols.