Fig. 4

Ouabain exhibits greater cytotoxicity in LSCs than LPCs. A Schematic illustration describing the established study model 2, in which enriched LSCs and LPCs were separately cultured to maintain their undifferentiated status, along with the flow cytometry gating strategy to identify cell death in LSCs and LPCs. B Enriched LSCs and LPCs from AML KG-1 cells were similarly treated with ouabain (0 − 40 nM) for 24 − 72 h. (left) Percentage of cell death (Annexin V⁺) in LSCs or LPCs. (right) Percentage of CD34⁺CD38⁻ LSCs and CD34⁺CD38⁺ LPCs in live (Annexin V⁻) cells to confirm their undifferentiated status. Data are mean ± SD (n = 5). ^*P < 0.05, ^**P < 0.01, ^***P < 0.001 versus nontreated control; ^###P < 0.001 versus enriched LSCs; two-sided Student’s t test