A substantially enriched mammalian hematopoietic cell subpopulation is
provided, which is characterized by progenitor cell activity for myeloid
lineages, but lacking the potential to differentiate into lymphoid
lineages. This population is further divided into specific myeloid
progenitor subsets, including a common myeloid progenitor cells (CMP),
megakaryocyte/erythroid progenitor cells (MEP) and granulocyte/monocyte
lineage progenitor (GMP). Methods are provided for the isolation and
culture of these subpopulations. The CMP population gives rise to all
myeloid lineages, and can give rise to the two additional and isolatable
progenitor populations that are exclusively committed to either the
erythroid/megakaryocytic or myelomonocytic lineages. The cell enrichment
methods employ reagents that specifically recognize Thy-1; and
IL-7R.alpha., in conjunction with other markers expressed on lineage
committed cells. These cells give rise to a variety of myeloid cells,
including megakaryocytes, granulocytes, dendritic cells and erythroid
cells, as evidenced by their growth and differentiation in vitro and in
vivo.