Associations between hematopoietic cells and their microenvironment are central to the development and maintenance of a functional hematopoietic system. It is important, therefore, to identify the surface receptors that mediate adhesive interactions among hematopoietic cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix components. In this study, we examined the expression of mRNA transcripts encoding a number of cell adhesion molecules and surface antigens in primitive hematopoietic cells isolated from murine bone marrow and fetal liver. Using a panel of probes, we hybridized a library of globally amplified cDNA prepared by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of poly (A)+ mRNA from individual precursors and mature cell populations, representing precisely defined positions within the hematopoietic developmental hierarchy. The panel included probes specific for the CD45, CD34, P-glycoprotein (mdr1), Ly-6A/E (Sca-1), heat stable antigen (CD24), Fc receptor for IgG FcgammaRII (CD32), CD44, CD22, and ICAM-1 (CD54) genes, as well as alphaL (CD11a), alphaM (CD11b), beta2 (CD18), alpha4 (CD49d), alpha5 (CD49e), beta1 (CD29), and beta7 integrin subunit sequences. The data, which revealed stage-and lineage-specific expression patterns, should prove useful in designing future mechanistic studies aimed at elucidating the role played by adhesion receptors in normal and abnormal hematopoiesis.