Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor induces cytokine secretion by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is known as an inducer of proliferation and functional activation of myeloid cells. This study was carried out to characterize the effects of GM-CSF on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) more extensively. Using Northern blot analysis, we show that PMN are able to accumulate mRNAs for different cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); G-CSF, and M-CSF, all of which are involved in inflammation and hematopoiesis. Biological assays and immunoassays demonstrate that PMN translate these mRNAs, except TNF-alpha, into secretory proteins. However, the expression of these cytokines is dependent on stimulation by exogenous signals, preferentially provided by the T cell-derived lymphokine GM-CSF. Stimulation of hematopoiesis and amplification of defense mechanisms after T cell activation thus might involve not only monocytes but also PMN, a cell type previously believed to be biosynthetically inactive.
Lindemann
A
A
Department of Hematology, University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
Riedel
D
D
Oster
W
W
Ziegler-Heitbrock
H W
HW
Mertelsmann
R
R
Herrmann
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D051379:Mice; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
D001685:Biological Factors; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor