Functional assay (ALDH) and analysis of CD44 and CD133 expression using flow cytometry.

<p>(Top) The Aldefluor assay in 3 NSCLC cells. DEAB-treated samples served as negative controls. ∼1–2% H460 and H1299 cells were Aldefluor-positive whereas >90% of A549 cells were Aldefluor-positive. (Middle) Representative flow cytometry profile of CD44 (FITC) expression in 3 NSCLC cells. Virtually 100% of A549, H460, and H1299 cells were CD44-positive (mean values being 97.2%, 99.3%, and 99.2%, respectively; n = 3). (Bottom) Flow cytometry analysis of CD133 (PE) expression in 3NSCLC cells. There was almost no expression of CD133 in these three NSCLC cell lines.