Burst-forming Unit-erythroid Colonies Research Articles

Patterns of Hematopoietic Lineage Involvement in Children With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Malignant Myeloid Disorders

AbstractChildren with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk of developing malignant myeloid disorders, particularly juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia/juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JCML/JMML). We investigated bone marrows from 11 such patients (8 boys and 3 girls) and detected allelic losses at the NF1 locus in 4 of them and probable losses in 2 others. To determine which hematopoietic cell lineages were derived from the abnormal clones, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed cell lines and CD34+ cells were analyzed from 3 children with JCML with allelic losses in unfractionated marrow. CD34 cells from these 3 patients lacked the normal NF1 allele, whereas EBV cell lines retained it. Erythroblasts plucked from the burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies of one of these children lacked the normal NF1 allele. We also studied a 10-month-old boy with NF1 who developed an unusual myeloproliferative syndrome. His bone marrow and EBV cell line both showed loss of the normal NF1 allele. In our series and in the literature, male sex and maternal transmission of NF1 were associated with the highest risk of myeloid leukemia. These data (1) provide strong genetic evidence that NF1 functions as a tumor-suppressor in early myelopoiesis, (2) confirm the clonal nature of JCML/JMML, (3) suggest that the elevation in fetal hemoglobin seen in JCML/JMML is a result of primary involvement of erythroid progenitors in the malignant clone, (4) show consistent loss of NF1 in the CD34 cells of affected children and show that the malignant clone may also give rise to pre-B cells in some cases, and (5) implicate epigenetic factors in the development of leukemia in children with NF1.

Patterns of hematopoietic lineage involvement in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and malignant myeloid disorders

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk of developing malignant myeloid disorders, particularly juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia/juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JCML/JMML). We investigated bone marrows from 11 such patients (8 boys and 3 girls) and detected allelic losses at the NF1 locus in 4 of them and probable losses in 2 others. To determine which hematopoietic cell lineages were derived from the abnormal clones, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed cell lines and CD34+ cells were analyzed from 3 children with JCML with allelic losses in unfractionated marrow. CD34 cells from these 3 patients lacked the normal NF1 allele, whereas EBV cell lines retained it. Erythroblasts plucked from the burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies of one of these children lacked the normal NF1 allele. We also studied a 10-month-old boy with NF1 who developed an unusual myeloproliferative syndrome. His bone marrow and EBV cell line both showed loss of the normal NF1 allele. In our series and in the literature, male sex and maternal transmission of NF1 were associated with the highest risk of myeloid leukemia. These data (1) provide strong genetic evidence that NF1 functions as a tumor-suppressor in early myelopoiesis, (2) confirm the clonal nature of JCML/JMML, (3) suggest that the elevation in fetal hemoglobin seen in JCML/JMML is a result of primary involvement of erythroid progenitors in the malignant clone, (4) show consistent loss of NF1 in the CD34 cells of affected children and show that the malignant clone may also give rise to pre-B cells in some cases, and (5) implicate epigenetic factors in the development of leukemia in children with NF1.

Activation of the Erythropoietin (EPO) Receptor by Bivalent Anti-EPO Receptor Antibodies

Oligomerization of cytokine receptors including the erythropoietin (EPO) receptor has been advanced as a model for activation. If homodimerization of the EPO receptor activates it, then bivalent antibodies raised to the extracellular domain of the EPO receptor should also homodimerize and activate. Mouse monoclonal antibodies (IgG) raised to the soluble, extracellular domain of the human EPO receptor (EPOR) were found that would stimulate thymidine uptake of an human EPO-dependent cell line, UT-7/EPO. Dose response curves showed bell shapes where activity was low at low and high concentrations. Monovalent (Fab) fragments bound to the receptor but did not stimulate thymidine uptake, which indicates that two antibody binding sites are required for activation. The anti-EPOR antibodies stimulated the formation of burst forming unit erythroid colonies from human CD34(+) cells purified from peripheral blood. This indicates that homodimerization of the EPO receptor by anti-EPOR antibodies is sufficient for both proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells and that the constraints on dimerization necessary for activation are rather loose.

Thrombopoietin rescues in vitro erythroid colony formation from mouse embryos lacking the erythropoietin receptor.

The interaction of the hormone erythropoietin and its receptor (EpoR) is though to be required for normal hematopoiesis. To define the role of EpoR in this process, the murine EpoR was disrupted by homologous recombination. Mice lacking the EpoR died in utero at embryonic day 11-12.5 with severe anemia. Embryonic erythropoiesis was markedly diminished, while fetal liver hematopoiesis was blocked at the proerythroblast stage. Other cell types known to express EpoR, including megakaryocytes, mast, and neural cells were morphologically normal. Reverse transcription-coupled PCR analysis of RNA from embryonic yolk sac, peripheral blood, and fetal liver demonstrated near normal transcripts levels for EKLF, thrombopoietin (Tpo), c-MPL, GATA-1, GATA-2, and alpha- and embryonic beta H1-globin but non for adult beta maj-globin. While colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) and burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colonies were not present in cultures derived from EpoR-/- liver or yolk sac cells, hemoglobin-containing BFU-E colonies were detected in cultures treated with recombinant Tpo and Kit ligand or with Tpo and interleukin 3 and 11. Rescued BFU-E colonies expressed adult beta-globin and c-MPL and appeared morphologically normal. Thus, erythroid progenitors are formed in vivo in mice lacking the EpoR, and our studies demonstrate that a signal transmitted through the Tpo receptor c-MPL stimulates proliferation and terminal differentiation of these progenitors in vitro.

The RAR-RXR as well as the RXR-RXR pathway is involved in signaling growth inhibition of human CD34+ erythroid progenitor cells

Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), similar to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), can act as a bifunctional regulator of the growth of bone marrow progenitors, in that it can stimulate granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)- or interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced GM colony formation, but potently inhibit G-CSF-induced growth. The present study, using highly enriched human CD34+ as well as Lin- murine bone marrow progenitor cells, demonstrates a potent inhibitory effect of 9-cis-RA on burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation regardless of the cytokine stimulating growth. Specifically, 9-cis-RA potently inhibited the growth of BFU-E response to erythropoietin (Epo) (100%), stem cell factor (SCF) + Epo (92%), IL-3 + Epo (97%), IL-4 + Epo (88%), and IL-9 + Epo (100%). Erythroid colony growth was also inhibited when CD34+ progenitors were seeded at one cell per well, suggesting a direct action of RA. Using synthetic ligands to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) that selectively bind and activate RAR-RXR or RXR-RXR dimers, respectively, we dissected the involvement of the two retinoid response pathways in the regulation of normal myeloid and erythroid progenitor cell growth. Transactivation studies showed that both the RAR (Ro 13-7410) and RXR (Ro 25-6603 and Ro 25-7386) ligands were highly selective at 100 nmol/L. At this concentration, Ro 13-7410 potently inhibited G-CSF-stimulated myeloid as well as SCF + Epo-induced erythroid colony growth. At the same concentration, Ro 25-6603 and Ro 25-7386 had little or no effect on G-CSF-induced colony formation, whereas they inhibited 75% and 53%, respectively, of SCF + Epo-stimulated BFU-E colony growth. Thus, the RAR-RXR response pathway can signal growth inhibition of normal bone marrow myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells. In addition, we demonstrate a unique involvement of the RXR-RXR pathway in mediating growth inhibition of erythroid but not myeloid progenitor cells.

The RAR-RXR as Well as the RXR-RXR Pathway Is Involved in Signaling Growth Inhibition of Human CD34+ Erythroid Progenitor Cells

Abstract Previous studies have shown that retinoic acid (RA), similar to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), can act as a bifunctional regulator of the growth of bone marrow progenitors, in that it can stimulate granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)- or interleukin-3 (IL-3)-induced GM colony formation, but potently inhibit G-CSF-induced growth. The present study, using highly enriched human CD34+ as well as Lin- murine bone marrow progenitor cells, demonstrates a potent inhibitory effect of 9-cis-RA on burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation regardless of the cytokine stimulating growth. Specifically, 9-cis-RA potently inhibited the growth of BFU-E response to erythropoietin (Epo) (100%), stem cell factor (SCF) + Epo (92%), IL- 3 + Epo (97%), IL-4 + Epo (88%), and IL-9 + Epo (100%). Erythroid colony growth was also inhibited when CD34+ progenitors were seeded at one cell per well, suggesting a direct action of RA. Using synthetic ligands to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and retinoid X receptors (RXRs) that selectively bind and activate RAR-RXR or RXR-RXR dimers, respectively, we dissected the involvement of the two retinoid response pathways in the regulation of normal myeloid and erythroid progenitor cell growth. Transactivation studies showed that both the RAR (Ro 13– 7410) and RXR (Ro 25–6603 and Ro 25–7386) ligands were highly selective at 100 nmol/L. At this concentration, Ro 13–7410 potently inhibited G- CSF-stimulated myeloid as well as SCF + Epo-induced erythroid colony growth. At the same concentration, Ro 25–6603 and Ro 25–7386 had little or no effect on G-CSF-induced colony formation, whereas they inhibited 75% and 53%, respectively, of SCF + Epo-stimulated BFU-E colony growth. Thus, the RAR-RXR response pathway can signal growth inhibition of normal bone marrow myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells. In addition, we demonstrate a unique involvement of the RXR-RXR pathway in mediating growth inhibition of erythroid but not myeloid progenitor cells.

The FLT3 Ligand Is a Direct and Potent Stimulator of the Growth of Primitive and Committed Human CD34+ Bone Marrow Progenitor Cells In Vitro

The present studies investigated the effects of the recently cloned flt3 ligand (FL) on the in vitro growth and differentiation of primitive and committed subsets of human CD34+ bone marrow (BM) progenitor cells. FL alone was a weak growth stimulator of CD34+ BM cells, but synergistically and directly enhanced colony formation in combination with interleukin (IL) 3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), CSF-1, granulocyte macrophage (GM) CSF stem cell factor (SCF), and IL-6. FL and SCF were equally effective in stimulating colony formation in combination with IL-3. However, the tri-factor combination of FL + IL-3 + SCF stimulated 2.3-fold and 2.5-fold more colonies than FL + IL-3 and SCF + IL-3, respectively. These additional recruited progenitors appeared to be predominantly located in a primitive (CD71-) subset of the CD34+ progenitors, as 4.5-fold more colonies were formed by CD34+CD71- cells in response to FL + IL-3 + SCF than to FL + IL-3 or SCF + IL-3. Similar findings were observed in serum-containing and serum-deprived cultures. Whereas FL did not enhance burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation of CD34+ BM cells in the presence of serum, a low number of BFU-E colonies were formed in response to FL plus erythropoietin (Epo) under serum-deprived conditions. In addition, FL both in serum-containing and serum-deprived cultures stimulated colony formation of more committed myeloid progenitors in CD34+CD71+ BM cells. Thus, FL potently stimulates the growth of primitive and more committed human BM progenitor cells.

A Functional Analysis of Protooncogene Vav's Role in Adult Human Hematopoiesis

The Vav protooncogene is expressed almost exclusively in hematopoietic cells, but its role in regulating adult human hematopoietic cell development remains uncertain. To analyze Vav function in adult blood cell formation, we used antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to disrupt its expression in normal and malignant human hematopoietic cells. Bone marrow or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were obtained from consenting normal donors and patients with acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia (AML and CML, respectively) and polycythemia vera (PV). Adherent and T-cell-depleted (A-T-) MNC or CD34+ MNC were exposed to unmodified sense, antisense, or scrambled sequence ODN corresponding to codons 2-7 of Vav's mRNA sequence. Cells were then assayed for Vav mRNA expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Vav protein expression by Western binding. After showing that Vav-targeted AS ODN could specifically diminish Vav mRNA and protein expression, we assessed the ability of Vav-deficient cells to form myeloid and erythroid colonies in methyl-cellulose cultures. When normal CD34+ MNC were exposed to Vav AS ODN, no effect on colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) or CFU-megakaryocyte colony formation was observed. In contrast erythroid colony growth was inhibited by a mean +/- SD of 62% +/- 16%. In patients with hematopoietic malignancies. Vav-targeted AS ODN inhibited CFU-GM colony formation in a sequence-specific and dose-dependent manner in 1 of 3 AML, 13 of 17 CML, and 2 of 2 PV patients. At the highest concentration used, the Vav AS ODN inhibited CFU-GM colony formation from 66% to 81% when compared with control cell colony growth. Burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony-formation was also assessed in 7 PV patients. The Vav-targeted AS ODN inhibited BFU-E colony formation in all by a mean +/- SD of 81% +/- 4%. These findings suggest that Vav function may not be easily complemented in a significant subset of normal adult erythroid progenitor cells and may also be necessary for myeloid progenitor cell growth in a variety of hematopoietic malignancies.

In vitro and in vivo myelotoxicity of CAI to human and murine hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), an agent that targets calcium-sensitive signal transduction pathways, has both antiproliferative and antimetastatic properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the myelotoxicity of CAI to normal human and murine hematopoietic cells. In vitro toxicity of CAI was determined by inhibition of myeloid [colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-gm)] and erythroid [burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-e)] colony formation in clonal assays. The effects of oral CAI on CD2F1 mouse marrow and splenic cellularity, marrow progenitor content, and peripheral blood cell counts were assessed in relation to plasma CAI levels. In vitro, CAI caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of CFU-gm and BFU-e colonies following continuous drug exposure. Murine CFU-gm and BFU-e were inhibited > 90% by 10 and 15 micrograms/mL CAI, respectively. However, suppression of human CFU-gm and BFU-e did not exceed 65% at the same concentrations. In vivo, CAI reduced the number of CFU-gm and BFU-e per femur after the initial dose and through day 4. Variations in colony inhibition paralleled changes in CAI plasma concentrations. While colony inhibition increased in vitro with escalating drug concentrations, this was not observed in vivo with additional CAI doses. The low toxicity of CAI in vivo combined with the significant difference between toxicity for human and mouse progenitors in vitro suggests a relatively low adverse potential to the bone marrow for this new signal transduction inhibitory agent.

Expression and Physiologic Significance of Kit Ligand and Stem Cell Tyrosine Kinase-1 Receptor Ligand in Normal Human CD34+, c-Kit+ Marrow Cells

To determine the potential role of autocrine growth factor production in regulating primitive human hematopoietic cell development, we examined highly purified CD34+, c-Kit+ marrow mononuclear cells for expression of c-Kit ligand (KL) and stem cell tyrosine kinase 1 (stk1) ligand (STK1-L). Normal marrow mononuclear cells coexpressing CD34 and c-Kit were isolated by a combination of immunomagnetic bead isolation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Purified cells were then screened for expression of KL and stk1-L mRNA using a sensitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. Using this approach, expression of both cytokine genes at the mRNA level was found in this highly enriched cell population. We then examined the functional significance of these mRNAs by inhibiting their expression with antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). In comparison to untreated or control ODN treated cells, inhibition of KL led to a 70% and 89% inhibition in burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) and colony-forming unit-Mix (CFU-Mix) colonies but had no significant effect on CFU-granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) cloning efficiency. In contrast, inhibition of STK1-L alone had no effect on colony formation. However, when STK1-L AS ODN was combined with KL AS ODN, additive inhibition of CFU-GM and CFU-MIX but not of BFU-E colonies was observed. These findings, along with those of our previous studies showing inhibition of primitive hematopoietic cell growth with antisense ODN directed towards the stk1 receptor, suggest the possibility that both receptor/ligand axes regulate primitive hematopoietic cell growth via an autocrine growth loop.

Transforming Growth Factor p (TGF-β), A Potent Inhibitor of Erythropoiesis: Neutralizing TGF-β Antibodies Show Erythropoietin as a Potent Stimulator of Murine Burst-Forming Unit Erythroid Colony Formation in the Absence of a Burst-Promoting Activity

Abstract Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a bifunctional regulator of the growth of myeloid progenitors and is here demonstrated to directly inhibit the growth of primitive erythroid progenitors by 95% to 100% regardless of the cytokines stimulating growth. Autocrine TGF- beta production of primitive hematopoietic progenitors has previously been reported. In the present study, a neutralizing TGF-beta antibody (anti-TGF-beta) added to serum-containing cultures, resulted in a 3-, 4- , and 25-fold increase in burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation in response to interleukin-4 (IL-4) plus erythropoietin (Epo), SCF plus Epo, and IL-11 plus Epo, respectively. The growth of BFU-E progenitors has been suggested to require a burst-promoting activity in addition to Epo. Accordingly, we observed no BFU-E colony formation in serum-containing cultures in response to Epo alone. In contrast, 50 BFU-E colonies were formed when anti-TGF-beta was included in the culture. In serum-free cultures, Epo also stimulated BFU-E colony formation in the absence of other cytokines, whereas anti-TGF- beta had no effect on the number of colonies formed. Quantitation of TGF-beta 1 in serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method showed predominantly the presence of precursor (latent) TGF-beta 1, but also showed active TGF-beta 1 at a concentration sufficient to potently inhibit erythroid colony formation. Thus, neutralization of active TGF- beta 1 in serum shows that Epo alone is sufficient to stimulate the growth of murine BFU-E progenitors.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a potent inhibitor of erythropoiesis: neutralizing TGF-beta antibodies show erythropoietin as a potent stimulator of murine burst-forming unit erythroid colony formation in the absence of a burst-promoting activity

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a bifunctional regulator of the growth of myeloid progenitors and is here demonstrated to directly inhibit the growth of primitive erythroid progenitors by 95% to 100% regardless of the cytokines stimulating growth. Autocrine TGF-beta production of primitive hematopoietic progenitors has previously been reported. In the present study, a neutralizing TGF-beta antibody (anti-TGF-beta) added to serum-containing cultures, resulted in a 3-, 4-, and 25-fold increase in burst-forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) colony formation in response to interleukin-4 (IL-4) plus erythropoietin (Epo), SCF plus Epo, and IL-11 plus Epo, respectively. The growth of BFU-E progenitors has been suggested to require a burst-promoting activity in addition to Epo. Accordingly, we observed no BFU-E colony formation in serum-containing cultures in response to Epo alone. In contrast, 50 BFU-E colonies were formed when anti-TGF-beta was included in the culture. In serum-free cultures, Epo also stimulated BFU-E colony formation in the absence of other cytokines, whereas anti-TGF-beta had no effect on the number of colonies formed. Quantitation of TGF-beta 1 in serum by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method showed predominantly the presence of precursor (latent) TGF-beta 1, but also showed active TGF-beta 1 at a concentration sufficient to potently inhibit erythroid colony formation. Thus, neutralization of active TGF-beta 1 in serum shows that Epo alone is sufficient to stimulate the growth of murine BFU-E progenitors.

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Directly Inhibits Human Erythropoiesis In Vitro: Role of p55 and p75 TNF Receptors

Two tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) with molecular weights of 55 kD (TNFR-p55) and 75 kD (TNFR-p75) have recently been identified and cloned. In previous studies, TNFR-p55 has been shown to exclusively mediate bidirectional effects of TNF-alpha on committed bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells, whereas both TNFR-p55 and TNFR-p75 can mediate inhibition of primitive progenitors requiring multiple cytokines to proliferate. We show here that TNF-alpha potently and directly inhibits the in vitro growth of committed erythroid progenitor cells in response to multiple cytokine combinations, and that TNF-alpha-induced inhibition of burst-forming unit-erythroid colony formation is mainly mediated through TNFR-p55, although TNFR-p75-mediated inhibition could be observed on progenitors responsive to erythropoietin alone. Moreover, at low TNF-alpha concentrations (2 ng/mL), TNF-alpha stimulates interleukin-3-dependent in vitro growth of committed granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells, whereas it potently inhibits erythroid progenitor cell proliferation, showing that one concentration of TNF-alpha can simultaneously and bidirectionally modulate interleukin-3-dependent growth of committed granulocyte-macrophage (stimulation) and erythroid progenitor cells (inhibition).

Interferon‐γ exerts its negative regulatory effect primarily on the earliest stages of murine erythroid progenitor cell development

Interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) has been shown to suppress erythropoiesis and perhaps to contribute to the anemia of chronic disease. In this study we demonstrated that the concentration of INF gamma required to suppress murine burst forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) growth was significantly less than that required to suppress colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) growth. INF gamma acted at the most primitive step in erythroid progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, as inhibition was maximal when added at the time of BFU-E culture initiation. Inhibition was progressively less if INF gamma addition was delayed after culture initiation. The effects of INF gamma on BFU-E did not require the presence of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), or granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as its effects were not neutralized by monoclonal antibodies against IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha, or GM-CSF. This applied whether INF gamma was added to culture with individual antibodies or with a combination of all three antibodies. INF gamma was not required for IL-1 alpha- or TNF alpha-induced suppression of BFU-E, as their effects were not neutralized by a monoclonal anti-INF gamma antibody. In contrast, GM-CSF-induced suppression of BFU-E was negated by the simultaneous addition of anti-INF gamma. We have previously shown that the addition of TNF alpha does not suppress BFU-E growth in cultures from marrow depleted of macrophages. Suppression did occur, however, if a small concentration of INF gamma that does not inhibit and increasing concentration of TNF alpha were added to culture, suggesting a synergistic effect between INF-gamma and TNF alpha. These observations suggest that INF gamma is a potent direct inhibitor of erythroid colony growth in vitro. It exerts its negative regulatory effect primarily on the earliest stages of erythroid progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation, as much higher doses are required to suppress late erythroid cell development. INF gamma is also involved in GM-CSF-induced inhibition of BFU-E colony growth.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 is an inducer of erythroid differentiation.

Normal human bone marrow cells, highly enriched for burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E), were cultured in serum-free medium, in the presence and absence of various factors, to investigate the mechanisms involved in regulating erythroid differentiation. In cultures containing interleukin 3 (IL-3), Steel factor (SF), and erythropoietin (Ep), benzidine-positive erythroblasts first became detectable on day 6. Their numbers then rapidly increased until, by day 16, > 99% of the cells, which were 20,000-fold amplified over input numbers, were benzidine-positive. It is interesting to note that omission of either SF or Ep from this assay markedly enhanced the rate of differentiation and reduced total cell numbers, whereas omission of IL-3 had no effect on the rate of differentiation and only slightly reduced cell numbers. Of various agents tested, the most potent erythroid differentiation inducer (and inhibitor of cell proliferation) was found to be transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). This cytokine stimulated both the rapid appearance of hemoglobin-positive cells and an early cessation of cell proliferation. Using fluorescently tagged antibodies to glycophorin A and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, this phenomenon was shown to be due to an early induction of erythroid differentiation rather than an aberrant production of hemoglobin. Methylcellulose assays indicated that the well-documented reduction of BFU-E colony numbers observed with TGF-beta 1 may actually be due to a TGF-beta 1-induced "conversion" of BFU-E into colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E). Thus, in vivo, TGF-beta 1 might serve, in part, to decrease the number of mature erythrocytes by stimulating BFU-E to skip a number of cell divisions and differentiate early.

Relationship of burst-forming-unit-erythroid progenitors and their DNA-synthesis stage to fetal hemoglobin levels in hydroxyurea-treated patients with sickle cell anemia.

DNA-synthesis stage and total number of circulating burst-forming-units-erythroid (BFU-E) have been inversely correlated with hemoglobin F levels in the peripheral blood, as well as in the cells from the BFU-E-derived colonies obtained from homozygous sickle cell anemia (SS) patients during steady state. Similar studies in SS patients treated with cytotoxic agents have not been reported. However, regeneration of the erythroid marrow that follows the cytoreduction phase of chemotherapy has been suggested as one of the mechanisms of stimulation of fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Therefore, a longitudinal study of hemopoiesis in hydroxyurea-treated SS patients was conducted. Thirty-two sets of hemopoietic studies, including total circulating BFU-E and S-phase BFU-E, were obtained from three patients treated with hydroxyurea. A dose-dependent decrease in total BFU-E colonies occurred in peripheral blood of all three patients (r = -0.58, -0.85, and -0.97, respectively, with each P < 0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between hydroxyurea dose and fetal hemoglobin levels in two of the three patients who responded clinically (r = 0.89618 and 0.88632, respectively, with each P < 0.01). When data from all patients were combined (n = 32), there was a strong, inverse, linear relationship between total number of BFU-E and percentage S-phase BFU-E with fetal hemoglobin levels (r = -0.6649 and -0.7404, respectively, with each P < 0.0001). A stronger, curvilinear, multiple relationship was detected between total BFU-E and percentage S-phase BFU-E with fetal hemoglobin levels (R = 0.8351 and 0.8602 with each P < 0.0001).

IN VIVO EFFECTS OF THE IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT 15-DEOXYSPERGUALIN ON HEMATOPOIESIS IN MURINE ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW CHIMERAS; Its Thrombopoietic Activity and Reversal of Adverse Effects with Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor and/or Erythropoietin1

When 15-deoxyspergualin (DSG), a potent immunosuppressant, was administered into [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras from day 14 to day 25, increased thrombopoiesis was induced on day 20 to day 33, accompanied by marked leukocytopenia and anemia. The mean platelet counts in DSG-treated and control [BALB/c-->C3H/He] bone marrow chimeras on day 25 were (114.1 +/- 0.5) x 10(4)/microliter versus (58.6 +/- 2.6) x 10(4)/microliter (1.9-fold increase). Colony-forming units-megakaryocyte (CFU-Meg) were not significantly increased in DSG-treated bone marrow chimeras. Colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) and burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were decreased during DSG-treatment whereas CFU-Mix colony formations were rather increased, and more primitive hematopoietic progenitor cells (highly proliferative potential colony-forming units [CFU-HPP]) were not decreased in the same time period. Since CFU-GM and BFU-E colony formations were increased immediately after the cessation of DSG treatment, followed by the rebound of leukocyte counts and the recovery of hemoglobin (Hb) levels, the leukocytopenia and anemia appeared to be induced by a cytostatic effect of DSG. The adverse effect of DSG was partly reversed by the simultaneous administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and/or erythropoietin (EPO), suggesting the need for the administration of these cytokines in the case of bone marrow transplants treated with DSG. Furthermore, it was of note that DSG modulated hematopoiesis and stimulated the production of thrombopoietin (TPO)-like cytokine(s) as well as interleukin-3 (IL-3).

Effects of ceftazidime, a betalactam antibiotic, on murine haemopoiesis in vitro

Agranulocytosis has been reported in 5-15% of patients treated with high-dose betalactam antibiotics (BLA). We investigated the toxic effect of ceftazidime (CEF) as a representative of these antibiotics on colony-forming unit-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM), on burst-forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) colony growth and on myelopoiesis in murine long-term bone marrow culture (mLTBMC). The CEF concentration resulting in a 50% inhibition of growth was 146 micrograms/ml (267 microM) for CFU-GM, 132 micrograms/ml (241 microM) for BFU-E and 180 micrograms/ml (329 microM) for myeloid cell production in the supernatant of mLTBMC. Following addition of CEF to mLTBMC, CFU-GM remained low for 1 week and total myeloid cell production remained low for 2 weeks after removal of CEF from culture. Thereafter the values returned to control levels. The myeloid differential counts in the supernatant and adherent layers demonstrated a 'maturation arrest', which could be overcome by simultaneously adding all-trans retinoic acid to culture. These results demonstrate that CEF has reversible inhibitory effects on myelopoiesis and highlight the utility of in vitro haemopoietic assays as models to examine drug-induced haemopoietic dyscrasias.

Expression of Sialosyl-Tn in Colony-Forming Unit-Erythroid, Erythroblasts, B Cells, and a Subset of CD4+ Cells

The epitopes Tn and sialosyl-Tn are expressed on erythrocytes of individuals with a very rare blood group, who often suffer from "Tn syndrome." We surveyed expression of Tn and sialosyl-Tn in normal blood cells, malignant transformed cells, and progenitor stem cells from bone marrow (BM). An anti-Tn antibody, IE3, and an anti-sialosyl-Tn antibody, TKH2, were used in this study. TKH2 reacted with erythroblasts, B cells, and a subset of CD4+ cells; but not with erythrocytes. Erythroblastic cell lines (K562, HEL, and UT7/EPO) and B-cell lines (Daudi, Raji, and B-cell lines transformed by Epstein-Barr virus) showed reactivity to TKH2. Similar results from the reactivity of TKH2 with transformed cells from leukemia patients and lymphoma patients were obtained; TKH2 reacted with blasts from erythroleukemia (M6; for 4 of 4 cases) and with lymphocytes from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (3 of 3), B-cell lymphoma (5 of 5), and CD4+ adult T-cell leukemia (4 of 4), but did not react with blasts from acute myeloid leukemia (M0 to M5; 0 of 22) or acute lymphoid leukemia (B-lymphoid leukemia, 0 of 11; T-lymphoid leukemia, 0 of 2; undifferentiated leukemia, 0 of 1). IE3 did not react with all of the tested cells. CD2-CD19-TKH2+ normal BM cells (BMC) contained blasts and various maturation stages of erythroblasts. The TKH2+ cells produced a large number of colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) colonies, whereas they produced a small number of burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies and CFU-granulocyte-macrophage colonies. CD34+ normal BMC did not express Tn and sialosyl-Tn. These findings suggest that sialosyl-Tn expresses in CFU-E to erythroblasts.

Expression of sialosyl-Tn in colony-forming unit-erythroid, erythroblasts, B cells, and a subset of CD4+ cells

The epitopes Tn and sialosyl-Tn are expressed on erythrocytes of individuals with a very rare blood group, who often suffer from “Tn syndrome.” We surveyed expression of Tn and sialosyl-Tn in normal blood cells, malignant transformed cells, and progenitor stem cells from bone marrow (BM). An anti-Tn antibody, IE3, and an anti-sialosyl-Tn antibody, TKH2, were used in this study. TKH2 reacted with erythroblasts, B cells, and a subset of CD4+ cells; but not with erythrocytes. Erythroblastic cell lines (K562, HEL, and UT7/EPO) and B- cell lines (Daudi, Raji, and B-cell lines transformed by Epstein-Barr virus) showed reactivity to TKH2. Similar results from the reactivity of TKH2 with transformed cells from leukemia patients and lymphoma patients were obtained; TKH2 reacted with blasts from erythroleukemia (M6; for 4 of 4 cases) and with lymphocytes from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (3 of 3), B-cell lymphoma (5 of 5), and CD4+ adult T-cell leukemia (4 of 4), but did not react with blasts from acute myeloid leukemia (M0 to M5; 0 of 22) or acute lymphoid leukemia (B- lymphoid leukemia, 0 of 11; T-lymphoid leukemia, 0 of 2; undifferentiated leukemia, 0 of 1). IE3 did not react with all of the tested cells. CD2-CD19-TKH2+ normal BM cells (BMC) contained blasts and various maturation stages of erythroblasts. The TKH2+ cells produced a large number of colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) colonies, whereas they produced a small number of burst-forming unit-erythroid colonies and CFU-granulocyte-macrophage colonies. CD34+ normal BMC did not express Tn and sialosyl-Tn. These findings suggest that sialosyl-Tn expresses in CFU-E to erythroblasts.