Abstract: A number of protein and glycoprotein antigens secreted by Mycobacterium. tuberculosis (Mt) have been identified as “early” Mt antigens on the basis early antibodies present in subjects infected with Mt prior to the development of detectable clinical disease. These early Mt antigens, in particular an 88 kDa secreted protein having a pI of about 5.2 present in Mt lipoarabinomannan-free culture filtrate, a protein characterized as Mt antigen 85C; a protein characterized as Mt antigen MPT51, a glycoprotein characterized as Mt antigen MPT32; and a 49 kDa protein having a pI of about 5.1, are useful in immunoassay methods for early, rapid detection of TB in a subject. Also provided are antigenic compositions, kits and methods to useful for detecting an early Mt antigen, an early Mt antibody, and immune complexes thereof.

Abstract: A method of culturing hair follicular stem cells by isolating a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle, dispersing the isolated keratinocytes into a single cell suspension, and growing the dispersed isolated keratinocytes in the presence of 3T3 feeder cells is provided. A method of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of bulge cell populations by exposing bulge cells to an agent to be tested and comparing the response of the test cells to established controls for bulge cells is also provided. Methods of modulating the activity of hair follicular stem cells by identifying a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle and contracting the cells with a selected agent to stimulate growth or to selectively kill the cells is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of detecting label retaining cells in self-renewing tissues, such as hair follicle, are provided. Methods of modulating the activity of slow-cycling cells and methods of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of stem cell populations are also provided. Generally, cells are continuously labeled, induced into a proliferative phase by exposure to an agent such as TPA or a cytokine, and then observed in relation to established criteria.