Adsorption of Rous sarcoma virus to genetically susceptible and resistant chicken cells studied by laser flow cytometry.

Quantitative binding of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) of different antigenic subgroups to chicken cells was examined by using a laser flow cytometer/cell sorter. RSV of subgroups A, C, and E, labeled with the fluorescent membrane probe rhodamine-18, bound 2 to 10 times more to genetically susceptible chicken embryo fibroblasts than to resistant cells, as measured by flow cytometry on a single-cell basis. This suggested that susceptible cells possess both specific and nonspecific receptors for virus adsorption, whereas resistant cells bind virus only by means of nonspecific sites. Polybrene at low concentration increased eightfold the binding of virus. Higher levels of Polybrene inhibited adsorption. Cell binding sites were saturable, and attachment of labeled virus could be partially blocked by preexposure of cells to unlabeled RSV. Virus surface glycoproteins played an important role in adsorption, since their removal with bromelain decreased binding of virus to susceptible cells. Maximal binding of RSV to both susceptible and resistant cells occurred within 10 min, although the level of binding was up to 10-fold higher for susceptible cells. Binding to all cell types showed a broad distribution. This implies that there are considerable differences in the number of virions bound per cell.     

Avian tumor virus interactions with chicken fibroblast plasma membranes

A method is described which will rapidly measure the binding of avian tumor viruses (ATV) to plasma membrane receptors. With this procedure it may be shown that Rous sarcoma virus pseudotypes bind to protease-labile, heat-stable structures on the surface of chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) plasma membranes. The binding sites for ATV subgroups A and B appear distinct, and membranes from genetically resistant CEF bind as well those of sensitive CEF.     

Fluorescent indicators of peptide cleavage in the trafficking compartments of living cells: peptides site-specifically labeled with two dyes

When cells are infected with viruses, they notify the immune system by presenting fragments of the virus proteins at the cell surface for detection by T cells. These proteins are digested in the cytoplasm, bound to the major histocompatibility complex I glycoprotein (MHC-I) in the endoplasmic reticulum, and transported to the cell surface. The peptides are cleaved to the precise lengths required for MHC-I binding and detection by T cells. We have developed fluorescent indicators to study the cleavage of peptides in living cells as they are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. Specific viral peptides known to be "trimmed" prior to cell surface presentation were labeled with two dyes undergoing fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). When these fluorescent peptides were proteolytically processed in living cells, FRET was halted, so that each labeled fragment and the intact peptide exhibited different fluorescence spectra. Such fluorescent cleavage indicators can be used to study a wide range of biological behaviors dependent on peptide or protein cleavage. However, labeling a peptide with two dyes at precise positions can present a major obstacle to using this technique. Here, we describe two approaches for preparing doubly labeled cleavage indicator peptides. These methods are accessible to researchers using standard laboratory techniques or, for more demanding applications, through cooperation with commercial or core peptide synthesis services using minor modifications of standard synthetic procedures.     

FLOW CYTOMETRIC ANALYSES OF VIRAL INFECTION IN TWO MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES, MICROMONAS PUSILLA (PRASINOPHYCEAE) AND PHAEOCYSTIS POUCHETII (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)

Cell characteristics of two axenic marine phytoplankton species, Micromonas pusilla (Butscher) Manton et Parke and Phaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot) Lagerheim, were followed during viral infection using flow cytometry. Distinct differences between noninfected and infected cultures were detected in the forward scatter intensities for both algal species. Changes in side scatter signals on viral infection were found only for P. pouchetii. Chlorophyll red fluorescence intensity per cell decreased gradually over time in the infected cultures. DNA analyses were performed using the nucleic acid–specific fluorescent dye SYBR Green I. Shortly after infection the fraction of algal cells with more than one genome equivalent increased for both species because of the replication of viral DNA in the infected cells. Over time, a population of algal cells with low red autofluorescence and low DNA fluorescence developed, likely representing algal cells just prior to viral lysis. The present study provides insight into basic virus–algal host cell interactions. It shows that flow cytometry can be a useful tool to discriminate between virus infected and noninfected phytoplankton cells.     

Flow sorting of antigen-binding B cell subsets

Antigen binding was used as a probe in the definition of functional B cell heterogeneity. Unprimed, anti-Thy 1 and complement-treated spleen cells were stained with fluorescent trinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (FL-TNP-BSA). These cells were sorted, fluorescence negative from fluorescence positive, by using a multiparameter cell sorter and assayed for precursor frequency in antibody responses to TNP by limiting dilution analysis. The cells that bound FL-TNP-BSA were demonstrated to be enriched for antibody-forming precursors to the antigens TNP-lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TNP-sheep red blood cells (SRBC), and TNP- or DNP-Ficoll, whereas the fluorescence negative cells were depleted for these responses. B cells that bound FL-TNP-BSA were then sorted into populations that bound a moderate or high amount of FL-TNP-BSA. The B cells responsive to TNP-LPS and TNP-SRBC were present in both the moderate and high binding populations. In contrast, the B cells responsive to TNP- or DNP-Ficoll were present only in the cells that bound a moderate amount of FL-TNP-BSA. These experiments suggest that there is a population of B cells in adult mouse spleen that binds large amounts of antigen, and that can respond to antigen carried on LPS or SRBC but not carried on Ficoll.     

Selective tropism of a neurotropic coronavirus for ependymal cells, neurons, and meningeal cells.

The ability of a neurotropic virus, mouse hepatitis virus type 3 (MHV3), to invade the central nervous system (CNS) and to recognize cells selectively within the brain was investigated in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, MHV3 induced in C3H mice a genetically controlled infection of meningeal cells, ependymal cells, and neurons. In vitro, purified MHV3 bound to the surface of isolated ependymal cells and cultured cortical neurons but not to oligodendrocytes or cultured astrocytes. MHV3 replicated within cultured cortical neurons and neuroblastoma cells (NIE 115); infected cultured neurons nonetheless survived and matured normally for a 7-day period postinfection. On the other hand, MHV3 had a low affinity for cortical glial cells or glioma cells (C6 line), both of which appear to be morphologically unaltered by viral infection. Finally, MHV3 infected and disrupted cultured meningeal cells. This suggests that differences in the affinity of cells for MHV3 are determinants of the selective vulnerability of cellular subpopulations within the CNS. In vivo, a higher titer of virus was needed for CNS penetration in the genetically resistant (A/Jx) mice than in the susceptible (C57/BL6) mouse strain. However, in spite of viral invasion, no neuropathological lesions developed. In vitro viral binding to adult ependymal cells of susceptible and resistant strains of mice was identical. Genetic resistance to MHV3-CNS infection appeared to be mediated both by a peripheral mechanism limiting viral penetration into the CNS and by intra-CNS mechanisms, presumably at a stage after viral attachment to target cells.     

Mobility measurements of immunomagnetically labeled cells allow quantitation of secondary antibody binding amplification.

Magnetic cell separation methods commonly utilize paramagnetic materials conjugated to antibodies that target specific cell surface molecules. The amount of magnetic material bound to a cell is directly proportional to the magnetophoretic mobility of that cell. A mathematical model has been developed which characterizes the fundamental parameters controlling the amount of magnetic material bound, and thus, the magnetophoretic mobility of an immunomagnetically labeled cell. In characterization of the paramagnetic labeling, one of the parameters of interest is the increase in magnetophoretic mobility due to the secondary antibody binding to multiple epitopes on the primary antibody, referred to as the "secondary antibody binding amplification," Psi. Secondary antibody-binding amplification has been investigated and quantitated by comparing the mobilities of lymphocytes directly labeled with anti-CD4 MACS (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA) magnetic nanoparticle antibody with the mobilities of lymphocytes from the same sample labeled with two different indirect antibody-labeling schemes. Each indirect labeling scheme incorporated a primary mouse anti-CD4 FITC antibody that provides both FITC and mouse-specific binding sites for two different secondary antibody-magnetic nanoparticle conjugates: either anti-FITC MACS magnetic nanoparticle antibody or anti-mouse MACS magnetic nanoparticle antibody. The magnetophoretic mobilities of the immunomagnetically labeled cells were obtained using Cell Tracking Velocimetry (CTV). The results indicate that an average of 3.4 anti-FITC MACS magnetic nanoparticle antibodies bind to each primary CD4 FITC antibody, Psi(1,2f) = 3.4 +/- 0.33, and that approximately one, Psi(1,2m) = 0.98 +/- 0.081, anti-mouse MACS magnetic nanoparticle antibody binds to each primary mouse CD4 FITC antibody on a CD4 positive lymphocyte. These results have provided a better understanding of the antibody-binding mechanisms used in paramagnetic cell labeling for magnetic cell separation.     

Differences in the redistribution of concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells

Concanavalin A (Con A), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) bound with either ¹²⁵I, fluorescent dyes, or fluorescent polymeric microspheres were used to quantitate and visualize the distribution of lectin binding sites on mouse neuroblastoma cells. As viewed by fluorescent light and scanning electron microscopy, over 10⁷ binding sites for Con A, WGA, and RCA appeared to be distributed randomly over the surface of differentiated and undifferentiated cells. An energy-dependent redistribution of labeled sites into a central spot occurred when the cells were labeled with a saturating dose of fluorescent lectin and maintained at 37°C for 60 min. Reversible labeling using appropriate saccharide inhibitors indicated that the labeled sites had undergone endocytosis by the cell. A difference in the mode of redistribution of WGA or RCA and Con A binding sites was observed in double labeling experiments. When less than 10% of the WGA or RCA lectin binding sites were labeled, only these labeled sites appeared to be removed from the cell surface. In contrast, when less than 10% of the Con A sites were labeled, both labeled and unlabeled Con A binding sites were removed from the cell surface. Cytochalasin B uncoupled the coordinate redistribution of labeled and unlabeled Con A sites, suggesting the involvement of microfilaments. Finally, double labeling experiments employing fluorescein-tagged Con A and rhodamine-tagged WGA indicate that most Con A and WGA binding sites reside on different membrane components and redistribute independenty of each other.     

Benzoxazinone derivatives: new fluorescent probes for two-color flow cytometry analysis using one excitation wavelength

A new class of fluorescent dye which upon excitation at 488 nm turns red is shown to be probe-suitable for using in flow cytometry alone or in conjunction with fluorescein derivatives. 7-dimethylamino 3-(p-formylstyryl) 1,4 benzoxazin 2-one is suitable for rendering microorganisms, such as Plasmodium merozoites and cells detectable by flow cytometry, allowing a dual fluorescence analysis when the cells are labelled with suitable fluoresceinylated ligands such as fluorescein labeled neoglycoproteins or antibodies. The synthesis of the new benzoxazinone derivatives is described: p-[beta-(7-dimethylamino 1,4 benzoxazin 2-one 3-yl)-vinyl]-phenylpropenoic acid can be easily activated as a hydroxysuccinimide derivative and linked to amino groups of polypeptides. Hydrophilic polypeptides such as poly-L-lysine or glycosylated polymers combined with this new fluorescent dye are shown to be helpful in analyzing cell surface receptors, in dual fluorescence flow cytometry analysis, using a single excitation wavelength and two sets of compounds labeled with the new benzoxazinone derivative and with fluorescein isothiocyanate, respectively. The new benzoxazinone derivative has a high molar absorbance, a good quantum yield fluorescence when it is bound to hydrophilic polypeptides and its fluorescence intensity is not dependent on pH in the physiological pH range.     

Measles virus-substance P receptor interactions: Jurkat lymphocytes transfected with substance P receptor cDNA enhance measles virus fusion and replication

1. We have demonstrated previously (Harrowe et al., 1990), using a lymphoblastoid cell line that constitutively expresses the substance P receptor (SPR) (Payan et al., 1984, 1986), that this receptor may facilitate measles virus (MV) fusion with these cells. In order to test this hypothesis further, a stable cell line transfected with SPR cDNA has been established, and various stages of MV infection in SPR positive and negative cells compared. 2. Jurkat cells, a human T-lymphoblastoid cell line, were transfected with a cDNA clone encoding the SPR. Cells transfected with only the plasmid were used as controls. Jurkat cells and Jurkat vector control cells (J-vo) failed to demonstrate any detectable 125I-SP binding, whereas a clonally selected population of cells transfected with SPR cDNA (J-SPR) expressed about 50,000 receptors/cell (Sudduth-Klinger et al., 1992). 3. Using the J-vo- and J-SPR-transfected cell lines, the following experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of SPR expression on MV infection. To determine if MV would preferentially attach to J-SPR as compared to J-vo, we absorbed virus to cells at 37 degrees C for various times and measured bound MV using a fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Using this approach, we found that MV bound to a greater degree to J-SPR compared with J-vo. In addition to equilibrium being reached faster for J-SPR, the total amount of bound MV was higher on J-SPR. The effect was greater at lower MOIs, suggesting that there existed multiple binding sites for MV on these cells and that the affinity is higher for those cells expressing the SPR. 4. Since binding does not necessitate a successful viral infection, we needed to know if this difference in binding reflected a difference in infection. This was demonstrated by showing an approximate twofold increase in infected cells after a 2-hr binding period with J-SPR as compared to J-vo at an MOI of 1 in an infectious cell-center assay. Moreover, when both cells types were subjected to continuous infection in culture, J-SPR-infected cells produced a seven- to ninefold increase in measles viral titer in 24 hr as compared with J-vo. The observed increase in viral titer may have resulted in more of the J-SPR cells binding virus, as indicated by our binding and infectious cell-center data, or alternatively, the virus might have entered the J-SPR cells faster and begun replication before the J-vo-infected cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Quantitative measurement of fusion between human immunodeficiency virus and cultured cells using membrane fluorescence dequenching

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation and labeled with octadecylrhodamine B-chloride (R-18) under conditions resulting in 90% quenching of the fluorescence label. Incubation of R-18-labeled HIV (R-18/HIV) with CD4-positive CEM and HUT-102 cells, but not with CD4-negative MLA-144 cells, resulted in fluorescence dequenching (DQ, increase in fluorescence) of 20-25%. Similar level of DQ was observed upon incubation of CEM cells with R-18-labeled Sendai virus. DQ was observed when R-18/HIV was incubated with CD4+ cells at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C. Most of the increase in fluorescence occurred within 5 min of incubation at 37 degrees C and was independent of medium pH over the range of pH 5-8. Preincubation of cells with the lysosomotropic agent NH4Cl had no inhibitory effect on DQ. Complete inhibition was observed when target cells were fixed with glutaraldehyde prior to R-18/HIV addition. Our results demonstrate application of membrane fluorescence dequenching method to a quantitative measurement of fusion between HIV and target cell membranes. As determined by DQ, HIV penetrates into target cells by a rapid, pH-independent, receptor-mediated and specific process of fusion between viral envelope and cell plasma membrane, quite similar to that observed with Sendai virus.     

Cell surface receptors for herpes simplex virus are heparan sulfate proteoglycans

The role of cell surface heparan sulfate in herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was investigated using CHO cell mutants defective in various aspects of glycosaminoglycan synthesis. Binding of radiolabeled virus to the cells and infection were assessed in mutant and wild-type cells. Virus bound efficiently to wild-type cells and initiated an abortive infection in which immediate-early or alpha viral genes were expressed, despite limited production of late viral proteins and progeny virus. Binding of virus to heparan sulfate-deficient mutant cells was severely impaired and mutant cells were resistant to HSV infection. Intermediate levels of binding and infection were observed for a CHO cell mutant that produced undersulfated heparan sulfate. These results show that heparan sulfate moieties of cell surface proteoglycans serve as receptors for HSV.     

Fusion of fluorescently labeled Sendai virus envelopes with living cultured cells as monitored by fluorescence dequenching

Fluorescently labeled (bearing N-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phosphatidylethanolamine (N-NBD-PE)) reconstituted Sendai virus envelopes (RSVE) were used to study fusion between the viral envelopes and cultured living cells such as lymphoma, Friend erythroleukemia cells (FELC) and L cells. Incubation of fusogenic viruses with the above cell lines resulted in a relatively high degree (40-45%) of fluorescence dequenching. On the other hand, incubation of unfusogenic (trypsin or phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF)-treated) RSVE with these cells led to very little (6-9%) fluorescence dequenching. The degree of fluorescence dequenching was linearly correlated to the surface density of the virus-inserted N-NBD-PE molecules. Fluorescence photobleaching recovery experiments showed that fusion of fluorescent RSVE with FELC resulted in an infinite dilution of the fluorescent molecules in the recipient cell membranes. The fluorescent probe 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (N-NBD-Cl) was covalently attached to envelopes of intact Sendai virions without significantly impairing their biological activity. Incubation of fluorescently labeled, intact Sendai virions with cultured cells resulted in about 20% fluorescence dequenching. The present data clearly indicate that fluorescently labeled Sendai virions can be used for a quantitative estimation of the degree of virus-membrane fusion.     

Proximity of lectin receptors on the cell surface measured by fluorescence energy transfer in a flow system.

Molecules of the lectin concanavalin A have been labeled separately with the fluorescein and rhodamine chromophores and jointly bound to the surface of transformed Friend erythroleukemia cells. The two dyes constitute an ideal donor-acceptor pair for fluorescence resonance energy transfer thereby permitting the determination of the proximity relationships between bound ligand molecules and the corresponding surface receptors. The transfer efficiency at saturation (about 57%) was measured in a multiparameter flow system using laser excitation at 488 nm and detection of fluorescein and rhodamine emission intensities as well as the emission anisotropy of the rhodamine fluorescence for each cell. The degree of energy transfer was estimated from the quenching of donor emission, the sensitization of acceptor emission, and the depolarization of acceptor fluorescence. The system has been modeled according to a formalism developed by Gennis and Cantor (Biochemistry 11: 2509, 1972). We estimate the separation between the surfaces of bound lectin molecules at saturation to be 0-40 A, a range possibly characteristic for micropatches induced by ligand binding.     

Fluorescent tetradecanoylphorbol acetate: A novel probe of phorbol ester binding domains

Protein kinase C (PKC) has a prominent role in signal transduction of many bioactive substances. We synthesized the fluorescent derivative, phorbol-13-acetate-12-N-methyl-N-4-(N,N′-di(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-aminododecanoate (N-C₁₂-Ac(13)) of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to monitor the location of phorbol ester binding sites and evaluate its potential use as a probe of PKC in viable cells. The excitation maximum wavelength of N-C₁₂-Ac(13) is close to 488 nm, facilitating its use in argon-ion laser flow and imaging cytometry. When incubated with 100 nM N-C₁₂-Ac(13) at 25°C, P₃HR-1 Burkitt lymphoma cells accumulated the dye rapidly, reaching maximum fluorescence within 25 min, 20-fold above autofluorescence. Addition of unlabeled TPA significantly decreased the fluorescence of N-C₁₂-Ac(13) stained cells in a dose-dependent manner indicating specific displacement of the bound fluoroprobe. Competitive displacement of [³H]-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate ([³H]-PBu₂) from rat brain cytosol with N-C₁₂-Ac(13) gave an apparent dissociation constant (K_d) of 11 nM. N-C₁₂-Ac(13) possessed biological activity similar to TPA. Like TPA (final concentration 65 nM) N-C₁₂-Ac(13), at a lower concentration (51 nM), induced expression of Epstein-Barr viral glycoprotein in P₃HR-1 cells, differentiation of promyelocytic HL60 cells, and caused predicted changes in the mitotic cycle of histiocytic DD cells. Microspectrofluorometric images of single cells labeled with N-C₁₂-Ac(13) showed bright fluorescence localized intracellularly and dim fluorescence in the nuclear region, consistent with dye binding mainly to cytoplasmic structures and/or organelles and being mostly excluded from the nucleus. Because of the high level of non-specific binding of N-C₁₂-Ac(13), this probe is not ideal for visualizing PKC in intact cells, but would be a valuable fluoroprobe to investigate the kinetic properties of purified PKC. Also, knowledge gained from these studies allows us to predict structures of fluorescent phorbols likely to have less non-specific binding and, consequently, be potentially useful for monitoring PKC in viable cells.     

Visualization of cell surface vasopressin V1a receptors in rat hepatocytes with a fluorescent linear antagonist.

To visualize cell surface V1a vasopressin receptors in rat hepatocytes in the absence of receptor-mediated endocytosis, we used a high-affinity fluorescent linear antagonist, Rhm8-PVA. Epifluorescence microscopy (3CCD camera) and fluorescence spectroscopy were used. Rhm8-PVA alone did not stimulate Ca2+ signals and competitively blocked Ca2+ signals (Kinact of 3.0 nM) evoked by arginine vasopressin (vasopressin). When rat hepatocytes were incubated with 10 nM of Rhm8-PVA for 30 min at 4C, the fluorescent antagonist bound to the surface of cells, presumably the plasma membrane. The V1a receptor specificity of Rhm8-PVA binding was confirmed by its displacement by the nonfluorescent antagonist V4253 and by the natural hormone vasopressin at 4C. Prior vasopressin-mediated endocytosis of V1a receptors at 37C abolished binding of the labeled antagonist, whereas in non-preincubated cells, Rhm8-PVA labeled the cell surface of rat hepatocytes. When cells labeled with Rhm8-PVA at 4C were warmed to 37C to initiate receptor-mediated internalization of the fluorescent complex, Rhm8-PVA remained at the cell surface. Incubation temperature at 4C or 37C had little effect on binding of Rhm8-PVA. We conclude that Rhm8-PVA is unable to evoke receptor-mediated endocytosis and can readily be used to visualize cell surface receptors in living cells.     

Utilization of fluorescently-labeled tetracysteine-tagged proteins to study virus entry by live cell microscopy

Viruses exploit cellular machinery to gain entry and initiate their replication cycle within host cells. The development of methods to visualize virus entry in live cells has provided new insights to the cellular processes involved in virus entry and the intracellular locations where viral payloads are deposited. The use of fluorescently labeled virus and high-resolution microscopy is currently the method of choice to study virus entry in live cells. While fluorescent protein fusions (e.g. viral proteins fused to GFP) have been used, the labeling of viral proteins that contain a small tetracysteine (tc) tag with biarsenical fluorescent compounds (e.g. FlAsH, ReAsH, Lumio-x) offers several advantages over conventional xFP-fusion constructs. This article describes methods for generating fluorescently labeled viruses encoding tc-tagged proteins that are suitable for the study of virus entry in live cells by fluorescence microscopy. Critical parameters required to quantify fluorescence signals from the labeled, tc-tagged proteins in individual virus particles during the entry process and the subsequent fate of the labeled viral proteins after virus uncoating are also described.     

Use of biocarrier beads and flow cytometry for single-cell studies of fibronectin gene regulation in dibutyrl cyclic AMP reverse transformed CHO-K1 cells

The protease sensitivity of a number of cell surface or cytoskeletal components and the relationship of these to the substratum in attached cells has prevented the quantitative measurement of their expression by flow cytometry. Using traditional cell sorting techniques, cells must be treated with a protease to detach them from a substrate in order to produce a single-cell suspension. Unfortunately, proteolytic treatment alters or destroys a number of cellular proteins. Fibronectin either on the cell surface or as part of the substratum laid down by the cell is particularly sensitive to proteases, preventing its quantitative study by flow cytometry. To circumvent these problems and produce a single cell suspension necessary for flow cytometric analysis, CHO-K1, a Chinese hamster ovary cell line, were grown in suspension on specially-treated 25 μm biocarrier beads. The CHO-K1 cell line is composed of transformed epithelial-like cells that have lost the fibronectin deposit around their cell membranes. To restore the typical fibroblastic deposit of fibronectin, the cells attached to beads were induced by dibutyrl cAMP to undergo a reverse transformation reaction to restore fibroblastic morphology and the typical fibroblastic deposite of fibronectin on the cell surface and substratum. The cells attached to beads were then immunofluorescently labeled for the protease-sensitive, extracellular matrix component, fibronectin, and examined on a flow cytometer. Cell surface fibronectin heterogeneity was then examined on a cell-by-cell basis as a function of cell cycle using Hoechst 33342 dye that binds to AT base pairs of cellular DNA. Dual laser measurement and multiparameter list mode data analysis were used to study the relationship between cell surface fibronectin of biocarrier bead attached cells and cell cycle.