MtDNA segregation in hematopoietic tissues of 12-month-old heteroplasmic F2 (BALB/c X CAST/Ei) mice.

<p>A representative profile of mtDNA heteroplasmy levels in hematopoietic (spleen, peripheral blood, and bone marrow) and neutral tissues (heart, brain and skeletal muscle) from four 12-month-old F2 (BALB/c X CAST/Ei) mice illustrates the mtDNA segregation phenotypes. Mice were classified as having no (-) mtDNA selection if the % NZB mtDNA in hematopoietic tissues was similar to neutral tissues or having (+) mtDNA selection. Data is presented from mice with high (>60%) or moderate (35%) levels of NZB heteroplasmy in their neutral tissues.