A substantially enriched mammalian hematopoietic cell subpopulation is provided,
which is characterized by progenitor cell activity for lymphoid lineages, but lacking
the potential to differentiate into myeloid and erythroid lineages. Methods are
provided for the isolation and culture of this common lymphoid progenitor cell
(CLP). The cell enrichment methods employ reagents that specifically recognize
CDw127 (IL-7 receptor ); CD117 (c-kit) protein, in conjunction with other
markers expressed on lineage committed cells. The murine cells are also characterized
as expressing low levels of sca-1 (Ly-6E and Ly-6A). The CLPs are predominantly
cycling, blast cells. These cells give rise to B cells, T cells and natural killer
cells, as evidenced by their growth and differentiation in vitro and in vivo.
