The cell surface expression and functional status of the CD95/Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors isolated from human cord blood (CB) were studied. The CD34 + cells freshly isolated from CB displayed low CD95 expression. The combinations of cytokines such as SCF+FL could up regulate the expression of CD95 in vitro culture and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) and interon γ (IFN γ) further increased the CD95 expression induced by positive cytokines. The functional status of CD95 mediated apoptosis were analyzed by incubation of CD34 +CB cells in the presence of anti CD95 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The effects of anti CD95 McAbs were measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, LTIC and CFU C assays. A decrease of viable cells, CFU C and LTIC numbers were observed in the presence of anti CD95 McAbs and TNF α or IFN γ. However, growth factor deprivation or the early acting cytokine such as SCF and FL cross linking to CD95 caused low apoptosis of CD34 + cells. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl 2 and the presence of CD95 on fresh CB CD34 + cells suggested that bcl 2 might be involved in protecting against CD95 mediated apoptosis of CB CD34 + cells. The cell surface expression and functional status of the CD95 / Fas antigen on primitive hematopoietic progenitors isolated from human cord blood (CB) were studied. The CD34 + cells freshly isolated from CB displayed low CD95 expression. The combinations of cytokines such as SCF + FL could up regulate the expression of CD95 in vitro culture and tumor necrosis factor α (IFNα) and interon γ (IFN γ) further increased the CD95 expression induced by positive cytokines. The functional status of CD95 mediated apoptosis was analyzed by incubation of CD34 + CB cells in the presence of anti CD95 monoclonal antibodies (McAbs). The effects of anti CD95 McAbs were measured by viable cell counting, flow cytometry, LTIC and CFU C assays. A decrease of viable cells, CFU C and LTIC numbers were observed in the presence of anti CD95 McAbs and TNFα or IFN γ. However, growth factor deprivation or the early acting cytokine such as SCF and FL cross linking to CD95 caused low apoptosis of CD34 + cells. The correlation of increased intracytoplasmic levels of bcl 2 and the presence of CD95 on fresh CB CD34 + cells suggested that bcl 2 might be involved in protecting against CD95 mediated apoptosis of CB CD34 + cells.