title: Hypothesis: a possible role for interferon in the treatment of idiopathic myelofibrosis.
abstract: It is proposed that interferon may be an active agent in the treatment of patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis. In this disorder the megakaryocyte cell lineage plays a major role in the deposition of bone marrow collagen by the release of growth promoting factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, which are mitogenic for fibroblast proliferation. Interferon reduces collagen deposition in the bone marrow by suppressing the activity of the proto-oncogene, which is involved in the production of growth factors from abnormal megakaryocytes and platelets. A direct myeloid cytoreductive effect of interferon upon the megakaryocyte proliferation contributes to reducing growth factor activity in the bone marrow. Finally, interferon induces monocytoid differentiation, thereby increasing bone marrow collagenase-activity. Thus, interferon has several actions, which in concert might reduce bone marrow collagen in myelofibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Haematology C, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup/Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasselbalch
mesh_terms: D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000378:metabolism; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D003094:Collagen