title: In polycythemia vera human interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhance erythroid colony growth in the absence of erythropoietin.
abstract: To further define the growth factors required for the in vitro proliferation of erythroid progenitors in polycythemia vera (PV), we have compared the ability of interleukin 3 (IL-3) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to support the growth of erythropoietin (Epo)-dependent and -independent erythroid colony formation. By using nonadherent mononuclear cells from peripheral blood, Epo-dependent colony formation was enhanced by IL-3 and GM-CSF in PV patients. Comparable results were obtained with normal erythroid progenitors. Augmenting effects of IL-3 and GM-CSF were observed on spontaneous erythroid colony formation, i.e., erythroid colony formation in the absence of exogenous supplied Epo. This was not due to a small amount of Epo in the culture media because an anti-Epo antibody did not prevent endogenous colony formation, nor did it prevent the enhancing effects of IL-3. Finally it was observed that in contrast to IL-3, monocyte depletion was required for the enhancing effects of GM-CSF on erythroid colony formation. These results provide evidence that endogenous colony formation in PV is independent of Epo but can be augmented by IL-3 or GM-CSF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: de Wolf
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Beentjes
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Esselink
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Halie
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vellenga
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D007377:Interleukin-3; D004921:Erythropoietin; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor