Factor In Human Serum Research Articles

Trypanosoma brucei brucei and high-density lipoproteins: Old and new thoughts on the identity and mechanism of the trypanocidal factor in human serum

Nature has provided humans with a surprising means of protection against the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei brucei There is consensus, in that this singular trypanocidal factor is serum high-density lipoproteins (HDL). which the trypanosomes engulf through a physiological, receptor-mediated pathway for delivery to acidic intracellular vesicles. There is also controversy, however, in that the active particles and their essential cytotoxic elements are disputed, in part reflecting the ill-defined mechanism by which the parasites are finally killed. Here Patrick Lorenz, Bruno Betschart and Jim Owen discuss the possibilities for resolving these discrepancies and speculate on the prospects of exploiting this unexpected property of human HDL for protecting livestock.

The Removal of Trypanolytic Activity from Human Serum by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Its Subsequent Recovery in Trypanosome Lysates

Susceptible African trypanosomes are lysed by a factor in human serum (HS), which presumably binds to their surface and is then internalized. It has been suggested that internalization of the factor is required for lysis. The hypothesis predicted that if the trypanolytic factor (TLF) binds and is endocytosed by trypanosomes, the lytic activity in HS should be removed by them. The experiments in this report have demonstrated that the lytic activity in HS can be almost completely removed. This was shown using both human serum sensitive (HSS) and resistant clones. As it might have been expected, HSS cells remove a greater percentage of the trypanolytic activity. In addition, the hypothesis also predicts that if the TLF is processed and activated from inside the trypanosome, its activity should be detected in the lysates of thoroughly washed trypanosomes previously incubated with HS. The results showed that the lysates consistently contained a soluble active form of the TLF that has been internalized by the trypanosomes. Antiserum specific to human high-density lipoprotein was found to neutralize the trypanolytic activity present in the lysates but failed to prevent the lysis of trypanosomes already exposed to HS.

Augmentation of carcinoembryonic antigen release from intact, viable tumor cells by a factor in human serum

Measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in human serum is frequently used to detect tumor recurrence in patients with resected primary colorectal cancers. These levels are highly variable from patient to patient, and the mechanism that determines these levels is still poorly understood. Using a 6-h in vitro CEA-release assay, we determined that a factor in human and fetal bovine sera significantly augments the release of CEA from the tumor cell surface into cell culture supernatants. As little as 1% serum admixed with tumor cells results in CEA release up to 200% greater than that of serum-free controls. It is not inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline or heat inactivation (of serum) but is calcium dependent. The electrophoretic mobility and membrane linkage of CEA released by serum appear to be identical to those of CEA released by bacterial phospholipase C. Because bacterial phospholipase C is known specifically to cleave the phosphoinositol (PI) glycan moiety that anchors CEA to the tumor cell surface, a mechanism of action for serum cleaving this anchor is suggested. The large range of CEA levels observed in patients with colorectal cancers may be related to differential sensitivity of the CEA membrane anchor to the CEA-releasing factor in serum.

Growth inhibitory properties of endothelin-1 in human hepatic myofibroblastic Ito cells. An endothelin B receptor-mediated pathway.

Ito cells play a pivotal role in the development of liver fibrosis associated with chronic liver diseases. During this process, Ito cells acquire myofibroblastic features, proliferate, and synthesize fibrosis components. Considering the reported mitogenic properties of endothelin-1 (ET-1), we investigated its effects on the proliferation of human Ito cells in their myofibroblastic phenotype. Both ET receptor A (ETA: 20%) and ET receptor B (ETB: 80%) binding sites were identified, using a selective ETA antagonist, BQ 123, and a selective ETB agonist, sarafotoxin S6C (SRTX-C). ET-1 did not stimulate proliferation of myofibroblastic Ito cells. In contrast, ET-1 inhibited by 60% DNA synthesis and proliferation of cells stimulated with either human serum or platelet-derived growth factor -BB (PDGF-BB). PD 142893, a nonselective ETA/ETB antagonist totally blunted this effect. SRTX-C was as potent as ET-1, while BQ 123 did not affect ET-1-induced growth inhibition. Analysis of the intermediate steps leading to growth-inhibition by ET-1 revealed that activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by serum or PDGF-BB was decreased by 50% in the presence of SRTX-C. In serum-stimulated cells, SRTX-C reduced c-jun mRNA expression by 50% whereas c-fos or krox 24 mRNA expression were not affected. We conclude that ET-1 binding to ETB receptors causes a potent growth inhibition of human myofibroblastic Ito cells, which suggests that this peptide could play a key role in the negative control of liver fibrogenesis. Our results also point out that, in addition to its well known promitogenic effects, ET-1 may also exert negative control of growth on specific cells.

Validation of an embryotoxicity assay.

Culture of mouse blastocysts has served as a tool for identifying various embryotoxic factors in human serum. While inactivated, sera from recurrently aborting women inhibit mouse blastocyst development in vitro. Variation in results from individual serum samples has limited the usefulness of this assay in establishing a new classification of idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Two-cell embryos were collected from superovulated mated CB6F1/J mice and cultured in Ham's F-10 media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or tested human serum at 37 degrees C with 5% CO2 and high humidity. Each sample was assayed in triplicate using three mice with at least five embryos from the same mouse per dish. Development was evaluated at 72 h and the frequency of atretic embryos was recorded. Intrasample (interassay) variation yielded a coefficient of variation of 9%. When repeated, samples from a given individual were evaluated and the coefficient of variation was 8.7%. Interoperator variability was 4% interassay and 2% intrassay. Atresia of embryos was 23% when incubated with FBS (N = 122), 21% in FC (N = 122), and in the sera of patients with RSA 34.6% (N = 95). Results of percentage of atresia from the fertile control group had a nonparametric distribution. Using 2.2 multiples of the median to determine the 95% confidence interval, a threshold at 44.0% of atresia was established. The critical step in maintaining low variability in this bioassay is to control mouse variability by averaging the percentage atresia from different mice as embryo donors for each tested serum. A subgroup of 24% (23/95) RSA patients who displayed embryotoxic activity was identified with a specificity of 95% and positive predictive value of 83%, P = 0.001.

The serum resistance-associated (SRA) gene of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense encodes a variant surface glycoprotein-like protein

In the Trypunosoma brucei species, T. b. rhodesience and T. b. gambiense represent the human infective host range variants, while T. b. brucei is lysed upon exposure to a cytotoxic factor in normal human serum. T. b. rhodesiense can occur in a serum-resistant and a serum-sensitive form. The resistance towards normal human serum was shown to be a labile character and to be determined by the environment in which the parasites live. We have clearly demonstated the presence of RNA transcripts unique to the resistant forms of T. b. rhodesiense. These transcripts encode a protein with VSG characteristics. The DNA fragment isolated previously, which hybridises with the resistance-specific mRNA sequence, appears to be a pseudogene belonging to the same gene family.

Effects of human neonatal serum on DNA synthesis in suckling and adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture

The effect of human neonatal serum on DNA synthesis in suckling and adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture was investigated to characterize growth regulating factors of the liver in neonates and to confirm whether the stimulatory factor is human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF). Neonatal serum stimulated DNA synthesis of both adult and suckling rat hepatocytes. The stimulatory effect was dose-dependent up to 20% in volume. The molecular weight of the stimulatory substance in neonatal serum was between 12,500 and 25,000, as estimated by gel filtration. Its activity was stable after heating at 56 degrees C for 20 min, but was lost after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 s, and easily passed through S- or heparin-Sepharose columns. The concentration of hHGF quantified by ELISA was too low to stimulate DNA synthesis in vitro. Biological and biochemical properties of the growth stimulatory activity in neonatal serum differed from that of hHGF. The presence of other growth factors in human neonatal serum for suckling and adult hepatocytes was suggested.

Human serum-sensitive Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiences: a comparison with serologically identical human serum-resistant clones

Trypanosoma brucei rhodesience clones, which are susceptible to lysis by normal human serum, were isolated from 3 different human serum-resistant clones originally derived from strain ETat 1.10. Serologically, these pairs of serum-sensitive and serum-resistant clones displayed the same variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) on their surface. Acquisition of human serum sensitivity correlated with susceptibility to lysis by human high density lipoprotein, a trypanocidal factor in normal human serum. Analysis of these paired populations by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of whole trypanosomes and various subcellular fractions failed to reveal any differences in mobility of VSG and other proteins. Northern blot analysis of mRNAs from serum-sensitive and serum-resistant clones showed no differences when probed with a previously described resistance-specific probe. In addition, the ethanolamine membrane transport system and the overall membrane lipid fluidity did not reveal any detectable biochemical or biophysical differences in membrane properties. If resistance to lysis in indeed mediated by membrane changes at the enzymatic or structural level, the data presented suggest that the gene product(s) responsible for this change in human serum sensitivity may be present in very small quantities.

Free insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) in human serum

Using ultrafiltration by centrifugation we have isolated the free, unbound fractions of insulin-like growth factor I and II (free IGF-I and IGF-II) in human serum. In this way near in vivo conditions could be maintained before and during isolation. The recovery was 80 to 100% in the ultrafiltrates, which contained no detectable amounts of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) as measured by Western ligand blotting and IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 immunoassays. The concentration of free peptides was measured in two ultrasensitive non-competitive IGF-I and IGF-II time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays. We found that (i) equilibrium between free and protein-complexed IGF was strongly dependent on re-establishment of in vivo conditions (temperature, pH, ionic milieu and dilution); (ii) metabolic events (glucose load and fasting) caused significant changes in free IGF-I and IGF-II levels without concomitant changes in total circulating levels of IGFs; (iii) in 49 healthy adult subjects (20 to above 60 years) free IGF-I was inversely related to age and ranged from 950 ± 150 ng/l (mean ± S.E.M.) (20–30 years) to 410 ± 70 ng/l (⪢ 60 years). The relative percentage was, however, unchanged, being 0.38 ± 0.02% of total IGF-I. In contrast, free IGF-II was independent of age, being 1,480 ± 80 ng/l (∼0.20 ± 0.01% of total IGF-II).

A Factor in Human Plasma Permits Persistent Expression of E-Selectin by Human Endothelial Cells

E-selectin is an inducible endothelial cell adhesion protein that is a critical element in the binding of leukocytes to activated endothelial cells. It is induced by a variety of pro-inflammatory soluble substances including interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vitro studies of a large vessel endothelial cells demonstrate that stimulation with TNF or IL-1 leads to a rapid, but transient, induction of E-selectin expression that disappears within 24 hours. However, in vivo studies have shown that microvascular endothelial cells persistently express E-selectin in chronic inflammatory states, particularly in the skin where it serves as a homing receptor for memory T cells. Stimulation of dermal-derived microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) with single doses of IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha, or LPS resulted in transient but slightly more persistent expression of E-selectin than seen after stimulation of large vessel derived umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). However, stimulation of either HDMECs or HUVECs with repetitive doses of IL-1 alpha, TNF alpha, or LPS in the presence of human serum or plasma resulted in persistent E-selectin expression in vitro. The persistent E-selectin cell surface expression was associated with persistent E-selectin mRNA expression and correlated with E-selectin-mediated HL-60 binding to endothelial cell monolayers. The effect of human plasma or serum was dose dependent, and fractionation of human plasma by gel filtration demonstrated that the E-selectin persistence activity resolved into high and low molecular peaks. These data demonstrate that human endothelial cells are capable of persistent E-selectin expression in vitro and that factors in human serum or plasma are critical in preventing cytokine refractoriness and loss of E-selectin expression. This study provides a basis to resolve the apparent discrepancies between previous in vivo and in vitro dynamics of E-selectin expression.

Heterogeneity in the properties of the trypanolytic factor in normal human serum

Although it seems clear that the trypanolytic factor in human serum capable of killing Trypanosoma brucei brucei is high density lipoprotein (HDL), it nevertheless remains controversial as to whether the trypanolytic properties of HDL are confined to a specific subclass or whether all particles have activity. In the present study, we have compared the lytic activities of serum fractions from six normal individuals prepared by gradient ultracentrifugation and also, to avoid ultracentrifugally-induced loss of HDL apolipoproteins, by gel filtration using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). All sera displayed trypanolytic activity in fractions corresponding to the general density ( ρ = 1.06–1.20 g ml −1) and size (59–440 kDa) limits conventionally used to describe bulk human HDL, the particles between ρ = 1.18–1.20 g ml −1 and between 214–440 kDa being particularly lytic. But some sera additionally contained fractions with powerful activity outside these density ( ρ> 1.24 g ml −1) and size (> 1000 kDa) ranges. Nevertheless, such fractions were considered to contain material with HDL characteristics; apolipoprotein A-I, the major protein of HDL, was always present and the lytic activity of the sera could be completely neutralized by absorption with HDL antiserum. We conclude that all of the trypanolytic activity in human sera is associated with HDL particles and that it is a property of several HDL subpopulations with very different density and size characteristics. Presumably the well-recognized wide variation in trypanocidal activity of normal human sera reflects differences in the quantities of these HDL subpopulations rather than in the total amount of a single, uniquely lytic particle.

Heparin and derivatized heparin inhibit zymosan and cobra venom factor activation of complement in serum

Heparin has been shown to inhibit activity of the alternative, classical and terminal pathways of complement by regulating C1, C1 inhibitor, C4 binding protein, C3b, factor H and S-protein. In vivo, heparin inhibits cobra venom factor activation of complement in a dose-related manner in guinea pigs. However, the ability of heparin and of modified heparin to inhibit complement activation in serum has not been examined systematically. The present study compared commercial heparin with a modified heparin that has reduced anticoagulant activity (N-desulfated, N-acetylated heparin) for ability to inhibit cobra venom factor and zymosan-induced complement activation in guinea pig and human serum. Both heparins inhibited cobra venom factor and zymosan-induced consumption of C3 activity in both human and guinea pig serum. In both serum types, commercial heparin was about twice as active as modified heparin on a weight basis for ability to inhibit cobra venom factor-induced complement activation. Both heparins also inhibited zymosan-induced complement activation in human serum. About four times more heparin was required to inhibit cobra venom factor-induced complement activation in guinea pig serum than in human serum while heparin was more than ten times more active in human serum than in guinea pig serum when zymosan was used as the activator of complement. This study suggests that heparin is considerably more effective in regulating complement activity in humans than in guinea pigs, an animal model in which heparin clearly has in vivo capacity to regulate complement activity. These observations represent an important step in the development of new clinically relevant oligosaccharide-derived pharmacologic agents to regulate complement activity.

Transforming growth factor beta upregulates 5-lipoxygenase activity during myeloid cell maturation.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) increased the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO; EC 1.13.11.34) activity in HL-60 cells induced to granulocytic differentiation by dimethyl sulfoxide. The presence of a factor in human serum that caused a similar increase was recently demonstrated. Several observations indicate that the serum factor consists of isoforms of TGF beta. Heat-treated serum and TGF beta both resulted in approximately 10-fold increased 5-LO activity of HL-60 cells, antiserum to TGF beta neutralized the 5-LO-increasing activity in serum, and physical properties of the serum factor (lipophilic nature, alkaline pI, stability to heat and acid) coincided with those of TGF beta. The pattern of activity of native and heat-treated sera is compatible with activation of a latent form of TGF beta in serum. This activity was specific for TGF beta, since none of several other cytokines could increase 5-LO activity in differentiating HL-60 cells. However, granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha enhanced the effect of TGF beta. The most prominent effects of TGF beta, whether alone or together with GM-CSF, were observed for 5-LO activity in intact cells (10-fold or 30-fold induction, respectively). 5-LO protein levels were less affected (up to 2- or 5-fold, respectively, as judged from Western blots). There was no appreciable effect of TGF beta, or a combination of TGF beta and GM-CSF, on 5-LO mRNA expression.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) binding factor in human serum: candidate for a soluble form of hepatocyte HBV receptor.

A hepatitis B virus (HBV) binding factor (HBV-BF) was identified in normal human serum interacting with the pre-S1 and pre-S2 epitopes of the viral envelope located within the protein domains involved in recognition of hepatocyte receptor(s). This molecule was characterized as a 50-kDa glycoprotein showing an isoelectric point of 7.13 with a biological activity depending on its native molecular conformation and on intact sulfhydryl bonds. Monoclonal antibodies to HBV-BF recognized a membrane component of the normal human liver whereas they were unreactive with hepatocyte membranes of other species and with those of the HepG2 cell line. These results suggest that the HBV-BF represents a soluble fragment of the membrane component and can be related to the HBV receptor mediating attachment of HBV to human liver cells.

Regulation of Lymphocyte Aggregation and Proliferation through Adhesion Molecule GD54 (ICAM-1)

The effect of two mouse mAb (LB-2 and GIB2) against human CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, ICAM-1) in lymphocyte aggregation and proliferation systems was investigated. The LB-2 mAb, but not GIB2, inhibited phorbol ester-induced aggregation of B lymphoblastoid cells. In addition, LB-2, but not GIB2, induced aggregation and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in cultures containing FCS. The Fab fragment of LB-2 always (10/10 donors) induced proliferation while the intact mAb was active in 3/11 donors. When cultures contained human serum (HS). LB-2 and its Fab fragment induced proliferation in 1/9 and 1/4 donors, respectively. Addition of HS to FCS cultures inhibited proliferation induced by LB-2 Fab, indicating the presence of an inhibitory factor in human serum. Addition of anti-CD18 mAb to cultures stimulated by LB-2 Fab caused partial inhibition of proliferation but did not prevent aggregate formation. A combination of anti-CD18 and anti-CD29 mAb resulted in a nearly complete inhibition of proliferation but did not inhibit aggregate formation. In these experiments it was found that the anti-CD29 mAb 4B4 in itself induced cell aggregation of PBMC and enhanced aggregation induced by the anti-CD3 mAb OKT3. Both LB-2 and GIB2 showed significant inhibition (>60%) of proliferation when human PBMC were stimulated by the antigen PPD in the presence of HS, but not when stimulated by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) or IL-2. This study describes two mAb against separate epitopes on CD54 which are differentially involved in cell aggregation or induction of proliferation but are of similar importance in antigen-specific responses. Furthermore, the new finding that the LB-2 mAb or its Fab fragment can induce cell aggregation and proliferation defines a signaling function of CD54 which may work independent of crosslinking or costimulation.

High-affinity IgG autoantibodies to IL-6 in sera of normal individuals are competitive inhibitors of IL-6 in vitro

Nano- to picomolar concentrations of high affinity IgG antibody to interleukin 6 (IL-6ab) were detected in sera of 71 of 467 normal Danish blood donors (15%). IL-6 bound to the Fab fragments of IL-6ab, and the antibody specifically and competitively interfered with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for human IL-6. Only IL-6ab-positive sera interfered with these ELISAs. A statistically positive correlation was found between total IL-6 binding and specific IL-6 binding to serum ( P < 0.0001), suggesting that IL-6ab dominates as IL-6 binding factors in normal human serum. The IL-6ab also inhibited binding of IL-6 to receptors on the human U-937 macrophage-like cell line, the human U-266 myeloma cell line and the mouse hybridoma cell line B13.29, clone B9 (B9 cells). IL-6-induced proliferation of the B9 cells was competitively inhibited by IL-6ab. We conclude that sera of normal individuals may contain appreciable levels of autoantibodies to IL-6. These IgG autoantibodies may be physiologically and pathophysiologically important because they are potent inhibitors of IL-6 in vitro.

Bone Marrow Stromal Fibroblasts Secrete Interleukin-6 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in the Absence of Inflammatory Stimulation: Demonstration by Serum-Free Bioassay, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Bone marrow (BM) stromal fibroblasts produce hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) in response to inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha). In the absence of such inflammatory stimuli, production of HGFs by BM stromal cells has been problematic and controversial. In vivo, however, basal hematopoiesis maintains blood counts within a normal homeostatic range even in the absence of inflammation, and HGFs are required for progenitor cell differentiation in vitro. To better ascertain the contribution of BM stromal fibroblasts to basal hematopoiesis, we therefore studied HGF production in quiescent BM stromal fibroblasts by three sensitive assays: serum-free bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Stromal fibroblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of normal human serum to determine if serum factor(s) present in the noninflammatory (basal) state induce secretion of HGFs. Human serum was found to induce or enhance transcription and secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and enhance secretion of constitutively expressed IL-6. In contrast, no secretion of either granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) or IL-3 was found. These data indicate that factors in normal human serum are active in enhancing GM-CSF and IL-6 production by stromal fibroblasts and suggest that these growth factors contribute to the maintainance of normal, basal hematopoiesis in vivo.

Bone marrow stromal fibroblasts secrete interleukin-6 and granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the absence of inflammatory stimulation: demonstration by serum-free bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Bone marrow (BM) stromal fibroblasts produce hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) in response to inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha). In the absence of such inflammatory stimuli, production of HGFs by BM stromal cells has been problematic and controversial. In vivo, however, basal hematopoiesis maintains blood counts within a normal homeostatic range even in the absence of inflammation, and HGFs are required for progenitor cell differentiation in vitro. To better ascertain the contribution of BM stromal fibroblasts to basal hematopoiesis, we therefore studied HGF production in quiescent BM stromal fibroblasts by three sensitive assays: serum-free bioassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Stromal fibroblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of normal human serum to determine if serum factor(s) present in the noninflammatory (basal) state induce secretion of HGFs. Human serum was found to induce or enhance transcription and secretion of granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and enhance secretion of constitutively expressed IL-6. In contrast, no secretion of either granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) or IL-3 was found. These data indicate that factors in normal human serum are active in enhancing GM-CSF and IL-6 production by stromal fibroblasts and suggest that these growth factors contribute to the maintainance of normal, basal hematopoiesis in vivo.

Interactions between recombinant human erythropoietin and serum factor(s) on murine megakaryocyte colony formation

We investigated the interactions between human erythropoietin (hEpo) and serum factor(s) on murine megakaryocyte (MK) colony formation. Serum-free cultures supported the growth of a large number of murine MK colonies in the presence of murine interleukin-3 (mIL-3). The addition of fetal calf serum (FCS) to mIL-3-containing cultures resulted in only a minimal increase in the number of murine MK colonies. In contrast, hEpo alone had no murine MK colony-stimulating activities in serum-free cultures. hEpo required the presence of FCS, murine serum, or human serum in cultures to promote murine MK colony growth and synergized with these sera to stimulate murine MK colony formation. Furthermore, sera from patients with aplastic anemia showed higher synergistic activities with hEpo than sera from hematologically normal persons (normal human serum). When normal human serum was fractionated by gel- filtration chromatography, two peaks with the synergistic activity were observed in the eluent. However, serum did not show any synergistic effects with hEpo on the growth of murine GM colonies or murine colony- forming unit-erythroid-derived colonies. Although human serum synergized with hEpo to stimulate murine MK colony formation, human cytokines such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) failed to induce murine MK colony formation in Epo-containing cultures. In cultures containing human IL-1 alpha + human IL-6 + hEpo as well as in cultures containing hEpo, human IL-3 and human GM-CSF failed to show stimulatory effects on murine MK colony formation. Moreover, the synergistic activity of human serum with hEpo could not be neutralized by antibodies such as antihuman IL-1 alpha, antihuman IL-3, antihuman IL-4, antihuman IL-6, antihuman G-CSF, and antihuman GM-CSF. Our data show that serum contains a growth factor(s) that synergizes with Epo to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of MK precursors, and strongly suggest that this factor(s) is an unique growth factor(s) that is distinct from IL-1 alpha, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, G-CSF, and GM-CSF.

Interactions Between Recombinant Human Erythropoietin and Serum Factor(s) on Murine Megakaryocyte Colony Formation

We investigated the interactions between human erythropoietin (hEpo) and serum factor(s) on murine megakaryocyte (MK) colony formation. Serum-free cultures supported the growth of a large number of murine MK colonies in the presence of murine interleukin-3 (mIL-3). The addition of fetal calf serum (FCS) to mIL-3-containing cultures resulted in only a minimal increase in the number of murine MK colonies. In contrast, hEpo alone had no murine MK colony-stimulating activities in serum-free cultures. hEpo required the presence of FCS, murine serum, or human serum in cultures to promote murine MK colony growth and synergized with these sera to stimulate murine MK colony formation. Furthermore, sera from patients with aplastic anemia showed higher synergistic activities with hEpo than sera from hematologically normal persons (normal human serum). When normal human serum was fractionated by gel-filtration chromatography, two peaks with the synergistic activity were observed in the eluent. However, serum did not show any synergistic effects with hEpo on the growth of murine GM colonies or murine colony-forming unit-erythroid-derived colonies. Although human serum synergized with hEpo to stimulate murine MK colony formation, human cytokines such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) failed to induce murine MK colony formation in Epo-containing cultures. In cultures containing human IL-1 alpha + human IL-6 + hEpo as well as in cultures containing hEpo, human IL-3 and human GM-CSF failed to show stimulatory effects on murine MK colony formation. Moreover, the synergistic activity of human serum with hEpo could not be neutralized by antibodies such as antihuman IL-1 alpha, antihuman IL-3, antihuman IL-4, antihuman IL-6, antihuman G-CSF, and antihuman GM-CSF. Our data show that serum contains a growth factor(s) that synergizes with Epo to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of MK precursors, and strongly suggest that this factor(s) is an unique growth factor(s) that is distinct from IL-1 alpha, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, G-CSF, and GM-CSF.