title: Imatinib inhibits the in vitro development of the monocyte/macrophage lineage from normal human bone marrow progenitors.
abstract: The antileukaemic tyrosine kinase inhibitor, imatinib, has been reported to inhibit specifically the growth of bcr-abl expressing CML progenitors at levels of 0.1-5.0 microM, by blocking the ATP-binding site of the kinase domain of bcr-abl. Inhibition of the c-abl, platelet-derived growth factor receptor and stem cell factor receptor (c-kit) tyrosine kinases by imatinib has also been reported. Here, we demonstrate that imatinib significantly inhibits in vitro monocyte/macrophage development from normal bone marrow progenitors, while neutrophil and eosinophil development was less affected. Monocyte/macrophage inhibition was observed in semisolid agar and liquid cultures at concentrations of imatinib as low as 0.3 microM. The maturation of monocytes into macrophages was also found to be impaired following treatment of cultures with 1.0 microM imatinib. Imatinib blocked monocyte/macrophage development in cultures stimulated with and without M-CSF, suggesting that inhibition of the M-CSF receptor, c-fms, by imatinib was unlikely to be responsible. Imatinib may therefore have an inhibitory activity for other kinase(s) that play a role in monocyte/macrophage differentiation. This inhibition of normal monocyte/macrophage development was observed at concentrations of imatinib achievable pharmacologically, suggesting that imatinib or closely related derivatives may have potential for the treatment of diseases where monocytes/macrophages contribute to pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Haematology, Hanson Institute, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dewar
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Domaschenz
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lyons
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001549:Benzamides; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000378:metabolism; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D016186:Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D016044:Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl