The role of haemopoietic cell growth factor (interleukin 3) in the development of haemopoietic cells

Haemopoietic cell development in vivo occurs in restricted sites in association with stromal cells. Haemopoiesis in vitro can be induced in the absence of stromal cells, provided the haemopoietic cells are supplied with appropriate growth stimulatory molecules. Evidence indicates that the same, or functionally similar, growth factors are normally supplied in vivo by the surrounding stromal cells and that the control of haemopoietic cell proliferation and development is regulated locally and is mediated by cell-cell interactions. We have been studying the effects of a growth factor which induces self-renewal and differentiation of multipotential stem cells as well as proliferation and development of lineage-restricted progenitor cells and activation of mature cells. Because of the wide range of activities embraced by this molecule we have termed it haemopoietic cell growth factor (HCGF). It is also known as interleukin 3 and multi-CSF. HCGF allows the survival, proliferation and development of cells and can be used to generate continuously growing, non-leukaemic, factor-dependent cell lines, in vitro (FDC-P). In the absence of HCGF. FDC-P cells die within hours. We have shown that HCGF may exert its primary effects (in terms of cell survival) on ATP generation, via its influence on glucose transport. Studies are also described which indicate that a primary event in differentiation induced by HCGF involves ADP-ribosylation of membrane-associated proteins. The significance of these findings for normal haemopoiesis and in leukaemogenesis is discussed.

Stromal cells in haemopoiesis

Stromal cells of the bone marrow can provide the growth-promoting and differentiation-inducing molecules which are necessary for haemopoiesis. While the nature of these stimuli is largely unknown, the development of haemopoietic cells in association with stromal cells requires intimate cell contact. Molecules of the extracellular matrix, such as heparan sulphate, are able to bind growth factors and in this way the stromal cells may form microenvironmental niches which preferentially promote development of multipotent and committed cells along discrete lineages. Cells from some patients with acute and chronic myeloid and lymphoid leukaemias are defective in their ability to interact with stromal cells and consequently cannot survive in stromal cell-mediated long-term marrow cultures. We have exploited this phenomenon to obtain normal haemopoietic cells from patients with leukaemia, and to use these cells for successful autografting in patients with acute and chronic myeloid leukaemias.

Cord blood G(0) CD34+ cells have a thousand-fold higher capacity for generating progenitors in vitro than G(1) CD34+ cells

We examined the functional differences between G(0) and G(1) cord blood CD34+ cells for up to 24 weeks in serum-free suspension culture, containing Flt-3 ligand, thrombopoietin and stem cell factor. By week 24, there is more than a 1,000-fold difference in granulocyte, macrophage-colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) cumulative production between the two populations, with cultures initiated from G(0) demonstrating an amplification of 1.1 x 10(5)-1.8 x 10(6) of GM-CFC compared to 45-2.7 x 10(3) for the G(1) cells. Cells from the initial G(0) population are able to produce about 250-fold higher numbers of BFU-E than those from G(1) which translates to 3 x 10(3)-1.1 x 10(5)-fold expansion and 25-390-fold expansion for G(0) and G(1), respectively. This amplification of the progenitor cells is reflected in finding that a greater proportion of the progeny of the G(0) population are CD34+, resulting in a 600-fold expansion of CD34+ cells at week 8. As in other in vitro systems, total cell expansion is less discriminatory of stem cell behavior than progenitor cells, and there is no significant difference in total cell numbers between G(0) and G(1) cultures with a mean fold expansion of 2 x 10(7) at 24 weeks.

Retroviral transfer and expression of human MDR-1 in a murine haemopoietic stem cell line does not alter factor dependence, growth or differentiation characteristics

In view of the recent report of a myeloproliferative syndrome in mice that had received an MDR-1-transduced haemopoietic graft, we have investigated the potential effects of MDR-1 expression on primitive haemopoietic cell growth and differentiation. Retroviral gene transfer was used to achieve exogenous expression of either MDR-1 or truncated nerve growth factor receptor (tNGFR) in the multipotent murine haemopoietic progenitor cell line, FDCP-mix. Following gene transfer, clonal lines were derived and FACS analysis confirmed appropriate expression of each transgene. MDR-1 (but not tNGFR) expression was associated with verapamil-sensitive rhodamine efflux and resistance to killing by etoposide. When growth factor responsiveness, proliferative capacity and differentiation capacity were examined, MDR-1 expressing FDCP-mix cells exhibited a normal phenotype and mimicked the response of tNGFR-expressing or untransduced FDCP-mix cells. Thus, in the model system we have used, MDR-1 does not perturb haemopoietic cell growth and development and our data do not support a myeloproliferative role for MDR-1.

Lineage restriction of the RARalpha gene expression in myeloid differentiation

To better understand the role of retinoids in myelopoiesis, expression of the retinoid receptor genes (retinoic acid receptors [RARs] and retinoid X receptors [RXRs]) were examined during differentiation of factor-dependent cell-Paterson (FDCP)-mixA4 murine progenitor cells. The major receptor expressed in undifferentiated A4 cells was RARalpha (primarily the RARalpha1 isoform). Following induction of myelomonocytic differentiation with granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors, a dramatic increase in RARalpha expression (particularly the RARalpha2 isoform) was seen. In contrast, expression of both RARalpha isoforms was rapidly extinguished upon induction of erythroid differentiation with erythropoeitin (EPO). A modest induction of RXRalpha expression was seen, particularly during differentiation in the myelomonocytic lineage. Low expression levels of RARgamma2 and RXRbeta remained unchanged, irrespective of differentiation pathway. Consistent with the gene expression patterns, RARalpha agonists and antagonists stimulated myelomonocytic and erythroid differentiation of FDCP-mixA4 cells, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis require diminished and enhanced RARalpha activities, respectively, which at physiological all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) concentrations may be accomplished by reciprocal effects of EPO and myelomonocytic growth factors on its expression. This hypothesis is corroborated by data showing that RA, which positively regulates RARalpha2 expression, can exert inhibitory effects on erythroid differentiation.

CCR1 chemokine receptor expression isolates erythroid from granulocyte-macrophage progenitors

Simple methods that separate progenitor cells of different hemopoietic lineages would facilitate studies on lineage commitment and differentiation. We used an antibody specific for the chemokine receptor CCR1 to examine mononuclear cells isolated from cord blood samples. When CD34(+) cells were separated into CD34(+)CCR1(+) and CD34(+)CCR1(-) cells and plated in colony-forming assays, the granulocyte/macrophage progenitors were found almost exclusively in the CD34(+)CCR1(+) cells. In contrast, the CD34(+)CCR1(-) cells contained the majority of the erythroid progenitors. There was a highly significant difference (P<0.002) in the total percentage distribution of both granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells and erythroid burst-forming units between the two populations. This is the first report of separation of erythroid progenitors from granulocyte/macrophage progenitors using a chemokine receptor antibody in cord blood samples. These results suggest that at the clonogenic progenitor cell stage the expression of CCR1 might be lineage-specific. This method should prove useful for studies on erythroid progenitor and granulocyte/macrophage differentiation.

NOD/SCID repopulating cells but not LTC-IC are enriched in human CD34+ cells expressing the CCR1 chemokine receptor

Human haemopoietic stem and progenitor cells may be distinguished by the pattern of cell surface markers they display. The cells defined as 'stem' cells are heterogeneous and lack specific markers for their detection. However, they may be identified in in vitro assays such as the long-term culture initiating cell (LTC-IC) and in transplant assays involving immunosuppressed NOD/SCID mice. It is still not clear to what extent, if any, these cell populations overlap. The chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) prolongs survival of LTC-IC in suspension cultures and we now show that in longterm bone marrow cultures (LTBMC) maintenance of haemopoiesis was significantly better from the CD34+ cells which possess MIP-1alpha receptors (P < 0.006). We examined one MIP-1alpha receptor, CCR1, which is present on CD34+ cells from haemopoietic tissues. In LTBMC the production of GM-CFC from CD34+CCR1- cells was significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that from CD34+CCR1+ cultures and the incidence of LTC-IC was 3- to 6-fold higher in the CD34+CCR1- cell fraction. In contrast, the cells responsible for high levels of engraftment in NOD/SCID mice were contained in the CD34+CCR1+ cell fraction. The CD34+CCR1+ cells engrafted to high levels in NOD/SCID and generated large numbers of progenitor cells. Therefore, we conclude that LTC-IC and SRC may be distinguished on the basis of expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1.

Differentiating embryonal stem cells are a rich source of haemopoietic gene products and suggest erythroid preconditioning of primitive haemopoietic stem cells

The difficulties associated with studying molecular mechanisms important in hemopoietic stem cell (HSC) function such as the problems of purifying homogeneous stem cell populations, have prompted us to adapt the murine ES cell system as an in vitro model of HSC generation and function. We now report that careful analysis of the time course of HSC generation in differentiating ES cells allows them to be used as a source of known and novel hemopoietic gene products. We have generated a subtracted library using cDNA from ES cells collected just prior to and just following the emergence of HSCs. Analysis of this library shows it to be a rich source of known hemopoietic and hemopoietic related gene products with 44% of identifiable cDNAs falling into these camps. We have demonstrated the value of this system as a source of novel genes of relevance to HSC function by characterizing a novel membrane protein encoding cDNA that is preferentially expressed in primitive hemopoietic cells. Intriguingly, further analysis of the known components of the subtracted library is suggestive of erythroid preconditioning of the ES cell-derived HSC. We have used dot-blot and in situ analysis to indicate that this erythroid preconditioning is probably restricted to primitive but not definitive HSC.

Proliferation and differentiation of murine haemopoietic progenitor cells in stroma-free culture in the presence of metabolites of chlorinated pesticides

We have studied the influence of metabolites of chlorinated pesticides (lindane, pentachlorophenol, hexachlorobenzene) on proliferation and differentiation in two stroma-free murine bone marrow culture models, a multipotent progenitor cell line (FDCP-mix) and primary lineage-depleted bone marrow cells. Tetrachlorohydroquinone (Cl(4)pHQ), tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (Cl(4p)BQ), but not their positional isomers, tetrachlorocatechol (Cl(4)oHQ) and tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone (Cl(4)oBQ), nor 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-Cl(3)P), were much more toxic to FDCP-mix cells cultured under conditions which lead to self-renewal than under conditions which lead to granulocyte-macrophage differentiation. Under the latter conditions, Cl(4)pHQ and Cl(4p)BQ even stimulated growth at intermediate concentration levels. In the primary cell cultures, pronounced differences were observed in the sensitivity between individual developmental pathways and between the different compounds. The percent of cells differentiating into the granulocytic lineage was increased at high concentration levels of each test compound. However, stimulatory effects on the macrophage lineage were observed at intermediate concentration levels of Cl(4)pHQ, Cl(4p)BQ and 2,4,6-Cl(3)P, and differentiation into erythrocytes was stimulated at low concentrations of 2,4,6-Cl(3)P. It is concluded that chlorinated monocyclic pesticides, after biotransformation to quinoid metabolites, may interact directly with haemopoietic progenitor cells with differential effects on self-renewal and differentiation. These mechanisms could lead to myeloplastic disorders.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces apoptosis independently of p53 and selectively reduces expression of Bcl-2 in multipotent hematopoietic cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) can inhibit cell proliferation or induce apoptosis in multipotent hematopoietic cells. To study the mechanisms of TGF-beta1 action on primitive hematopoietic cells, we used the interleukin-3 (IL-3)-dependent, multipotent FDCP-Mix cell line. TGF-beta1-mediated growth inhibition was observed in high concentrations of IL-3, while at lower IL-3 concentrations TGF-beta1 induced apoptosis. The proapoptotic effects of TGF-beta1 occur via a p53-independent pathway, since p53(null) FDCP-Mix demonstrated the same responses to TGF-beta1. IL-3 has been suggested to enhance survival via an increase in (antiapoptotic) Bcl-x(L) expression. In FDCP-Mix cells, neither IL-3 nor TGF-beta1 induced any change in Bcl-x(L) protein levels or the proapoptotic proteins Bad or Bax. However, TGF-beta1 had a major effect on Bcl-2 levels, reducing them in the presence of high and low concentrations of IL-3. Overexpression of Bcl-2 in FDCP-Mix cells rescued them from TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis but was incapable of inhibiting TGF-beta1-mediated growth arrest. We conclude that TGF-beta1-induced cell death is independent of p53 and inhibited by Bcl-2, with no effect on Bcl-x(L). The significance of these results for stem cell survival in bone marrow are discussed.

A transient assay for regulatory gene function in haemopoietic progenitor cells

This work aimed to provide a means of assaying directly the effects of transient expression of introduced genes on the survival, proliferation, lineage commitment and differentiation of haemopoietic progenitor cells. For this purpose, we have developed a system that allows isolation of productively transfected, mulitipotent haemopoietic cells within a few hours of the introduction of test genes. We have shown that FDCP-mix cells productively transfected with expression plasmids encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) differentiate normally and retain colony-forming potential. We constructed an expression vector consisting of a bicistronic cassette in which a GFP marker gene and a test gene are driven from the same promoter. The vector design has been optimized for co-expression and the test gene was shown to be biologically active. The expression profile from a transiently transfected template under different growth conditions reveals that active expression continues for at least 2 d after transfection. The transient transfection of FDCP-mix cells with the vectors described provides a powerful tool for analysis of the immediate early effects of test gene overexpression during haemopoietic differentiation.

Altered development and cytokine responses of myeloid progenitors in the absence of transcription factor, interferon consensus sequence binding protein

Mice deficient for the transcription factor, interferon consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP), are immunodeficient and develop disease symptoms similar to human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To elucidate the hematopoietic disorder of ICSBP(-/-) mice, we investigated the growth, differentiation, and leukemogenic potential of ICSBP(-/-) myeloid progenitor cells in vitro, as well as by cell-transfers in vivo. We report that adult bone marrow, as well as fetal liver of ICSBP-deficient mice harbor increased numbers of progenitor cells, which are hyperresponsive to both granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and G-CSF in vitro. In contrast, their response to M-CSF is strongly reduced and, surprisingly, ICSBP(-/-) colonies formed in the presence of M-CSF are mostly of granulocytic morphology. This disproportional differentiation toward cells of the granulocytic lineage in vitro parallels the expansion of granulocytes in ICSBP(-/-) mice and correlates with a 4-fold reduction of M-CSF receptor expressing cells in bone marrow. Cell transfer studies showed an intrinsic leukemogenic potential and long-term reconstitution capability of ICSBP(-/-) progenitors. Further experiments demonstrated strongly reduced adhesion of colony-forming cells from ICSBP(-/-) bone marrow to fibronectin. In summary, ICSBP(-/-) myeloid progenitor cells share several abnormal features with CML progenitors, suggesting that the distal parts of signaling pathways of these two disorders are overlapping.

Characterisation of the differential response of normal and CML haemopoietic progenitor cells to macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha

The clonogenic cells of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), unlike normal haemopoietic colony forming cells (CFC), are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of the chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha). Here, we tested the hypothesis that MIP-1alpha protects normal, but not CML, CFC from the cytotoxic effects of the cell-cycle active drug cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). Using a 24-h Ara-C protection assay we showed that MIP-1alpha confers protection to normal CFC but also sensitizes CML CFC to Ara-C. The differential MIP-1alpha responsiveness was not due to a down-regulation of MIP-1alpha receptors on CML CD34+ cells as flow cytometric analysis showed similar binding of a biotinylated MIP-1alpha molecule to normal and CML CD34+ cells. Flow cytometric analysis of the MIP-1alpha receptor subtype CCR-5 revealed comparable CCR-5 expression levels on normal and CML CD34+ cells. Furthermore, culture of CD34+ cells for 10 h in the presence of TNF-alpha resulted in an increased MIP-1alpha receptor expression on both normal and CML CD34+ cells. Our data suggest that the unresponsiveness of CML CFC to the growth inhibitory effect of MIP-1alpha is not caused by a lack of MIP-1alpha receptor or total uncoupling of the MIP-1alpha responsiveness but may be due to an intracellular signalling defect downstream of the receptors.

Activation of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-3 receptor subunits in a multipotential hematopoietic progenitor cell line leads to differential effects on development

Activation of specific cytokine receptors promotes survival and proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells but their role in the control of differentiation is unclear. To address this issue, the effects of human interleukin-3 (hIL-3) and human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) on hematopoietic development were investigated in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Murine multipotent factor-dependent cell-Paterson (FDCP)-mix cells, which can self-renew or differentiate, were transfected with the genes encoding the unique alpha and/or shared beta(c) human hIL-3 receptor (hIL-3 R) or hGM-CSF receptor (hGM R) subunits by retroviral gene transfer. Selective activation of hIL-3 Ralpha,beta(c) or hGM Ralpha,beta(c) transfects by hIL-3 and hGM-CSF promoted self-renewal and myeloid differentiation, respectively, over a range of cytokine (0.1 to 100 ng/mL) concentrations. These qualitatively distinct developmental outcomes were associated with different patterns of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and, thus, differential signaling pathway activation. The cell lines generated provide a model to investigate molecular events underlying self-renewal and differentiation and indicate that the alpha subunits act in combination with the hbeta(c) to govern developmental decisions. The role of the alpha subunit in conferring specificity was studied by using a chimeric receptor composed of the extracellular hIL-3 Ralpha and intracellular hGM Ralpha subunit domains. This receptor promoted differentiation in response to hIL-3. Thus, the alpha subunit cytosolic domain is an essential component in determining cell fate via specific signaling events.

Upstream elements bestow T-cell and haemopoietic progenitor-specific activity on the granzyme B promoter

Cytotoxic T cells and early haemopoietic progenitors share the expression of a number of specific genes. Of these, granzyme B has attracted particular interest because of its role in inducing apoptosis during cytotoxic T cell-mediated target cell killing, and its potential role in the mobilisation and homeostasis of haemopoietic stem cells. Studies of granzyme B regulation should therefore yield valuable information concerning the molecular control of these processes, and also identify elements capable of directing gene expression to two cell types of relevance to gene therapy. Here we show that proximal regulatory elements already known to direct promoter activity in T cells are similarly active in haemopoietic progenitors. However, this activity is not strictly specific, since the promoter regions also direct low levels of reporter gene expression in fibroblasts. More importantly, we also report the presence of two previously unidentified clusters of DNaseI hypersensitive sites upstream from the murine granzyme B gene, and show that these regions impart both increased transcriptional activity and the appropriate cell type specificity on the granzyme B promoter. These upstream regulatory regions are therefore likely to play a key role in the coordination of granzyme B expression in vivo.

Identification of amino acid residues critical for aggregation of human CC chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES. Characterization of active disaggregated chemokine variants

Human CC chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed) self-associate to form high-molecular mass aggregates. To explore the biological significance of chemokine aggregation, nonaggregating variants were sought. The phenotypes of 105 hMIP-1alpha variants generated by systematic mutagenesis and expression in yeast were determined. hMIP-1alpha residues Asp26 and Glu66 were critical to the self-association process. Substitution at either residue resulted in the formation of essentially homogenous tetramers at 0.5 mg/ml. Substitution of identical or analogous residues in homologous positions in both hMIP-1beta and RANTES demonstrated that they were also critical to aggregation. Our analysis suggests that a single charged residue at either position 26 or 66 is insufficient to support extensive aggregation and that two charged residues must be present. Solution of the three-dimensional NMR structure of hMIP-1alpha has enabled comparison of these residues in hMIP-1beta and RANTES. Aggregated and disaggregated forms of hMIP-1alpha, hMIP-1beta, and RANTES generally have equivalent G-protein-coupled receptor-mediated biological potencies. We have therefore generated novel reagents to evaluate the role of hMIP-1alpha, hMIP-1beta, and RANTES aggregation in vitro and in vivo. The disaggregated chemokines retained their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) inhibitory activities. Surprisingly, high concentrations of RANTES, but not disaggregated RANTES variants, enhanced infection of cells by both M- and T-tropic HIV isolates/strains. This observation has important implications for potential therapeutic uses of chemokines implying that disaggregated forms may be necessary for safe clinical investigation.

Distinct biological effects of macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha and stroma-derived factor-1alpha on CD34+ hemopoietic cells

Chemokines are important regulators of both hemopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) proliferation and adhesion to extracellular matrix molecules. Here, we compared the biological effects of the CC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) with those of the CXC chemokine stroma-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) on immunomagnetically purified CD34+ cells from leukapheresis products (LP CD34+). In particular, studies on chemokine-induced alterations of LP CD34+ cell attachment to fibronectin-coated plastic surfaces, proliferation of these cells in colony-forming cell (CFC) assays and intracellular calcium mobilization were performed. MIP-1alpha but not SDF-1alpha was found to increase the adhesion of LP CD34+ cells to fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner. Both chemokines elicited growth-suppressive effects on LP CD34+ cells in CFC assays. While MIP-1alpha reduced the number of granulomonocytic (CFC-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) colonies to the same extent, SDF-1alpha showed a significantly greater inhibitory effect on CFC-GM than BFU-E. Finally, we demonstrated that SDF-1alpha but not MIP-1alpha triggers increases in intracellular calcium in LP CD34+ cells. The SDF-1alpha-induced calcium response was rapid and concentration-dependent, with a maximal stimulation observed at > or = 15 ng/ml. In conclusion, our data suggest distinct biological properties of SDF-1alpha and MIP-1alpha in terms of modulation of LP CD34+ cell adhesion to fibronectin and intracellular calcium levels. However, comparable growth-suppressive effects on HPC proliferation were observed, indicating that this feature may be independent of chemokine-induced calcium responses.

Expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 receptors in human CD34(+) hematopoietic cells and their modulation by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) can stimulate growth inhibitory and potent chemotactic functions in hematopoietic cells. To investigate whether the action of MIP-1alpha may be regulated at the cellular receptor level, we studied the expression and modulation of MIP-1alpha receptors on CD34(+) cells isolated from normal bone marrow (NBM), umbilical cord blood (CB), and leukapheresis products (LP). Expression of MIP-1alpha receptors on CD34(+) cells was analyzed by two-color flow cytometry using a biotinylated MIP-1alpha molecule. The mean percentage of LP CD34(+) cells expressing the MIP-1alpha receptors was 67.7 +/- 7.2% (mean +/- SEM; n = 22) as compared with 89.9 +/- 2.6% (n = 10) and 74.69 +/- 7.04% (n = 10) in CB and NBM, respectively (P = .4). The expression of the MIP-1alpha receptor subtypes on LP CD34(+) cells was studied by indirect immunofluorescence using specific antibodies for the detection of CCR-1, CCR-4, and CCR-5. Microscopical examination revealed a characteristic staining of the cytoplasmic cell membrane for all three receptor subtypes. Detailed analysis of two LP samples showed that 65.8%, 4.4%, and 30.5% of CD34(+) cells express CCR-1, CCR-4, and CCR-5, respectively. Culture of LP CD34(+) cells for 24 to 36 hours in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) resulted in a significant increase in MIP-1alpha receptor expression. TNF-alpha induced MIP-1alpha receptor upregulation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Our results suggest that inhibitory cytokines produced by the bone marrow microenvironment are likely to be involved in the regulation of MIP-1alpha receptor expression on hematopoietic cells.

Differential response of CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood and bone marrow to MIP-1 alpha and the expression of MIP-1 alpha receptors on these immature cells

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha) has been shown to have a role in the control of myeloid stem and progenitor cell proliferation. Recent evidence suggests that MIP-1alpha also has a stimulatory effect on proliferation of mature progenitors as well as an inhibitory effect on immature progenitors in vitro. We have compared the effect of MIP-1alpha on myeloid and erythroid colony formation of CD34+ cells isolated from bone marrow and cord blood. In the presence of MIP-1alpha, bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage-colony forming cells (GM-CFC) were inhibited over a dose range of 15 ng/ml to 500 ng/ml, and GM-CFC from cord blood CD34+ cells were stimulated over the same dose range. MIP-1alpha suppressed BFU-E colonies in both bone marrow and cord blood. Using thymidine suicide assays, the influence of MIP-1alpha on the cycling status of the cells was assessed. A good correlation between the effect of MIP-1alpha on colony formation and cell cycle progression was observed. These results suggest that there is a differential response to MIP-1alpha when bone marrow and cord blood CD34+ cells are compared. Using flow cytometry and a biotinylated human MIP-1alpha/avidin fluorescein conjugate, the expression of MIP-1alpha receptors on CD34+ cells was assessed. The data indicated that there was little quantitative difference in overall expression of receptors (82.9% versus 93%) from bone marrow or cord blood, respectively. However, when Northern blot analysis was used, mRNA for two different MIP-1alpha receptors CCR1 and CCR5 could be detected in bone marrow, but only CCR1 mRNA was seen in cord blood CD34+ samples. Therefore, the expression of different receptor subtypes on CD34+ cells may be responsible for the difference in MIP-1alpha responsiveness observed.

An activated protein kinase C alpha gives a differentiation signal for hematopoietic progenitor cells and mimicks macrophage colony-stimulating factor-stimulated signaling events

Highly enriched, bipotent, hematopoietic granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) require cytokines for their survival, proliferation, and development. GM-CFC will form neutrophils in the presence of the cytokines stem cell factor and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, whereas macrophage colony-stimulating factor leads to macrophage formation. Previously, we have shown that the commitment to the macrophage lineage is associated with lipid hydrolysis and translocation of protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha) to the nucleus. Here we have transfected freshly prepared GM-CFC with a constitutively activated form of PKCalpha, namely PKAC, in which the regulatory domain has been truncated. Greater than 95% of the transfected cells showed over a twofold increase in PKCalpha expression with the protein being located primarily within the nucleus. The expression of PKAC caused macrophage development even in the presence of stimuli that normally promote only neutrophilic development. Thus, M-CSF-stimulated translocation of PKCalpha to the nucleus is a signal associated with macrophage development in primary mammalian hematopoietic progenitor cells, and this signal can be mimicked by ectopic PKAC, which is also expressed in the nucleus.

Ectopic interleukin-5 receptor expression promotes proliferation without development in a multipotent hematopoietic cell line

The interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor is a heterodimer that consists of an IL-5 specific alpha subunit and a common ssc chain that is shared with the receptors for granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3). In contrast to IL-5, which acts mainly as an eosinophil lineage specific factor in vivo, IL-3 and GM-CSF stimulate the survival, proliferation and development of various hematopoietic cell lineages and also multipotent progenitor cells. IL-5 has little effect on the survival or proliferation of the multipotent stem cell line FDCP-Mix A4 but does promote some eosinophil development. To investigate whether the lineage specificity of IL-5 is due to the restricted expression of the IL-5 receptor alpha subunit we transfected the FDCP-Mix A4 cells with a retroviral vector containing this alpha subunit. The ectopic expression of the IL-5 receptor alpha subunit in the FDCP-Mix cells did not increase the observed eosinophilic development but did stimulate survival and proliferation of the transfected cells when IL-5 was added. IL-5 thus acts like IL-3 in these cells, promoting proliferation and survival. The results suggest that IL-5, whilst having a capacity to promote proliferation, does not influence eosinophilic lineage commitment in these multipotent cells. The results further argue that the observed lineage specificity of IL-5 is probably due to factors in addition to the restricted expression of the IL-5 receptor alpha subunit.

Abl protein kinase abrogates the response of multipotent haemopoietic cells to the growth inhibitor macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha

The clonogenic cells of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), unlike normal haemopoietic progenitor cells, are resistant to the growth inhibitory effects of the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha). CML is also relatively resistant to chemotherapy and the disease is difficult to cure using conventional therapeutic routes. CML is associated with increased abl oncogene protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that these aberrant responses to MIP-1alpha and the relative resistance to chemotherapy are directly related to this increased abl PTK activity in primitive haemopoietic cells. To do this we have expressed a temperature sensitive abl PTK in a growth factor dependent, multipotent stem cell line (FDCP-Mix) in which growth is normally suppressed by MIP-1alpha. In FDCP-Mix cells expressing the ts v-abl PTK and grown at the restrictive temperature for PTK activity the cells were relatively sensitive to cytotoxic agents such as cytosine arabinoside and 5-fluorouracil but MIP-1alpha could induce growth inhibition and confer some degree of protection from these agents. At the permissive temperature for abl PTK, the cells were relatively resistant to cytotoxic drugs and MIP-1alpha treatment neither induced growth inhibition nor protected the cells from cytotoxic drug induced cell death. This lack of response to MIP-1alpha was not due to receptor down modulation as neither the affinity nor the number of 125I-MIP-1alpha binding sites was altered by activating Abl PTK. However, MIP-1alpha mediated increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels were abrogated by switching cells to the permissive temperature for Abl PTK activity. These data suggest that the relative resistance of CML progenitor cells to therapeutic drugs and the lack of response to MIP-1alpha occurs as a direct consequence of abl PTK activity and involves desensitisation of signal transduction events stimulated by MIP-1alpha receptors. Thus one contributory mechanism to transformation of primitive haemopoietic cells is abrogation of response to a growth inhibitor.

Investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying growth factor synergy: the role of ERK 2 activation in synergy

Stem Cell Factor (SCF), the ligand for the c-kit proto-oncogene, has been shown to synergistically interact with other cytokines, enhancing the responsiveness of haemopoietic precursors. In this study we have examined the effects of SCF, in combination with interleukin-3 (IL-3), on FDCP-Mix A4 cells, a murine, multipotent, haemopoietic progenitor cell line. Low concentration of IL-3 act to enhance cell survival but do not stimulate proliferation in A4 cells. Similarly, SCF when added alone, acts as a good survival stimulus, but is a poor proliferative stimulus. However, in combination with low concentrations of IL-3, SCF stimulates a synergistic enhancement of proliferation leading to a large increase in cell number after seven days. The synergy observed was not due to SCF stimulated alterations in the mRNA, protein levels or affinity of the IL-3 receptors. Therefore, interactions between cytokines at the level of cytoplasmic signalling pathways were investigated. IL-3 stimulated the rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (including those of molecular weights 130, 110, 100, 95, 80, 65, 50 and 45 kDa). Some of these proteins were identified as the Src Homology Collagen (SHC) protein, Janus kinase (JAK-2) and the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase isoforms ERK 1 and ERK 2. IL-3 also stimulated a transient increase in the activity of both ERK 1 and 2. SCF stimulated a rapid and transient increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK 1 and ERK 2 although, coaddition of SCF with IL-3, caused no gross differences in the phosphorylation of SHC, JAK-2 or ERKs compared to those observed with IL-3 alone. Coaddition of SCF and low concentration of IL-3 stimulated a reproducible synergistic increase in the activity of ERK 2, whereas only an additive increase in the activity of ERK 1 was observed. These results suggest that ERK 2 activation represents a point at which the two pathways, stimulated by IL-3 and SCF, interact synergistically.

Identification of a serpin specifically expressed in multipotent and bipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells and in activated T cells

We have identified a gene that has a high level of mRNA expression in undifferentiated, multipotential hematopoietic cells (FDCP-Mix) and that downregulates both transcript and protein, as these cells are induced to differentiate into mature myeloid cells. Sequence analysis of this gene has identified it as a serine protease inhibitor EB22/3 (serpin 2A). Constitutive expression of serpin 2A in FDCP-Mix cells was associated with an increase in the clonogenic potential of the cells and with a delay in the appearance of fully mature cells in cultures undergoing granulocyte macrophage differentiation when compared with control cells. Serpin 2A was also found to be expressed in bone marrow-derived bipotent granulocyte macrophage progenitor cells (GM-colony forming cell [CFC]), but not in erythrocyte progenitor cells from day 15 fetal liver. Expression of serpin 2A also showed a marked up regulation during the activation of cytotoxic suppressor CD8+ T cells, with a clear lag between the appearance of transcript and detection of protein.

How do stem cells decide what to do?

The continuous replenishment of mature blood cells from multipotent stem cells proceeds under the influence of haemopoietic growth factors which clearly regulate both cell survival and proliferation. The extent to which these factors might influence lineage choice is still unclear, however, and it seems likely that resolution of this issue will require direct analysis of multipotent cells undergoing commitment rather than determination of their productivity in colony assays. Chromatin analysis of a multipotent progenitor cell line indicates that many of the genes relevant to alternative lineage fates are maintained in an accessible (primed) state prior to lineage commitment. Furthermore, multipotent cells have been found to co-express a number of lineage-restricted genes, suggesting that commitment proceeds as the consolidation of an existing programme. There are indications that the patterns of gene expression in multipotent progenitors change over time, raising the possibility of temporal priming towards different lineages. In multipotential cell lines, exogenous growth factors are necessary for survival, but not for lineage commitment, implying a largely supportive role in early progenitors. In contrast, recent work on primary bipotent granulocyte/ macrophage progenitors does demonstrate an inductive role for growth factors in these more lineage-restricted cells.

Hydroquinone stimulates granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo

To investigate whether hydroxylated metabolites of benzene may be responsible for the amplification of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFC) observed in mice that inhale benzene, groups of six C57BL6 mice were injected with hydroquinone (HQ) (75 mg/kg) or HQ (50 mg/kg) plus phenol (PHE) (50 mg/kg) twice daily for 11 days. Deviations in blood leukocyte and erythrocyte levels by up to one-third were noted in the treated groups; however, the peripheral blood differential counts were unchanged. Although no changes in bone marrow cellularity were observed in mice treated with HQ, cellularity was decreased by a factor of two in the mice that had received HQ plus PHE. The number of GM-CFC per femur was doubled in both treated groups. In vitro experiments using the murine multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells FDCP mix also showed a duplication of GM-CFC formation in the presence of HQ at concentrations between 10(-6) M and 10(-10) M. When HQ and PHE were present at equimolar concentrations, significantly increased colony formation was still observed with 10(-12) M of metabolites. The effect was independent of the concentration of GM-colony-stimulating factor used. We suggest that HQ is a major mediator of the stimulatory effect of benzene on GM-CFC in mice. In addition, the in vitro data indicate that a direct effect of GM-CFC is involved.

BB-10010: an active variant of human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha with improved pharmaceutical properties

The stem cell inhibitor, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) or LD78, protects multipotent hematopoietic progenitors in murine models from the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapy. Clinical use of human MIP-1 alpha during chemotherapy could therefore lead to faster hematologic recovery and may allow dose intensification. We have also shown that human MIP-1 alpha causes the rapid mobilization of hematopoietic cells, suggesting an additional clinical use in peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. However, the clinical evaluation of human MIP-1 alpha is complicated by its tendency to associate and form high molecular weight polymers. We have produced a variant of rhMIP-1 alpha, BB-10010, carrying a single amino acid substitution of Asp26 > Ala, with a reduced tendency to form large polymers at physiologic pH and ionic strength. This greatly increases its solubility, facilitating its production and clinical formulation. We confirmed the potency of BB-10010 as a human MIP-1 alpha-like agonist in receptor binding, calcium mobilization, inhibition of colony formation, and thymidine suicide assays. The myeloprotective activity of BB-10010 was shown in a murine model of repeated chemotherapy using hydroxyurea. BB-10010 is therefore an ideal variant with which to evaluate the therapeutic potential of recombinant human MIP-1 alpha.

Erythroid development of the FDCP-Mix A4 multipotent cell line is governed by the relative concentrations of erythropoietin and interleukin 3

Conditions are described which promote the erythroid development of the FDCP-Mix A4 (A4) cell line with accompanying proliferation of the cells. The requirements for this development are low concentrations of interleukin 3 (IL-3) plus the presence of erythropoietin (epo) and haemin. When high concentrations of IL-3 are added with erythropoietin and haemin the cells do not differentiate and maintain their blast cell morphology. Addition of haemin, in the absence of erythropoietin, does not promote erythroid development, but the presence of haemin with erythropoietin promotes increased proliferation and maturation. The morphological maturation of A4 cells along the erythroid lineage is accompanied by a gradual loss of clonogenic potential, loss of A4 cell multipotency, increased erythropoietin receptor expression, and an increased expression of the beta-globin gene. An initial increase in mitogenic responsiveness to erythropoietin is followed by a decrease as the cells become refractory to all mitogenic stimuli with the acquisition of a postmitotic, mature erythroid cell phenotype.

IL-4 promotes macrophage development by rapidly stimulating lineage restriction of bipotent granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells

Granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) are bipotential progenitor cells that can proliferate and develop into macrophages in response to macrophage CSF or into neutrophils in response to stem cell factor or granulocyte CSF. These cytokines promoted growth and development in highly enriched GM-CFC. In [3H]thymidine suicide assays, IL-4 was shown to stimulate proliferation of GM-CFC to the same degree as IL-3 and other potent mitogens for GM-CFC. IL-4 also maintained the clonogenic potential of enriched GM-CFC over a 2-day period. However, after several days in the presence of IL-4, the GM-CFC began to die and retained blast cell morphology characteristic of the isolated GM-CFC. When a high concentration of IL-4 was added to GM-CFC with neutrophilic stimuli, the response of these cells was altered because macrophages were formed. This effect was achieved by a 4-h preincubation with IL-4, suggesting that an early signal produced by IL-4 promotes lineage restriction, although IL-4 itself cannot promote development. IL-4, like macrophage CSF, translocates PKC-alpha to the nucleus in GM-CFC, this redistribution of protein kinase C alpha (PKC-alpha) being inhibited by calphostin C (a PKC inhibitor). Calphostin C also blocked IL-4-mediated development of macrophages in stem cell factor- and granulocyte-CSF-treated cells. This is further evidence that PKC-alpha translocation is involved in the commitment of GM-CFC to macrophage development. This data also suggests that agonist-stimulated lineage commitment can be uncoupled from development in normal hematopoietic cells.

IL-4 promotes macrophage development by rapidly stimulating lineage restriction of bipotent granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells

Granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) are bipotential progenitor cells that can proliferate and develop into macrophages in response to macrophage CSF or into neutrophils in response to stem cell factor or granulocyte CSF. These cytokines promoted growth and development in highly enriched GM-CFC. In [3H]thymidine suicide assays, IL-4 was shown to stimulate proliferation of GM-CFC to the same degree as IL-3 and other potent mitogens for GM-CFC. IL-4 also maintained the clonogenic potential of enriched GM-CFC over a 2-day period. However, after several days in the presence of IL-4, the GM-CFC began to die and retained blast cell morphology characteristic of the isolated GM-CFC. When a high concentration of IL-4 was added to GM-CFC with neutrophilic stimuli, the response of these cells was altered because macrophages were formed. This effect was achieved by a 4-h preincubation with IL-4, suggesting that an early signal produced by IL-4 promotes lineage restriction, although IL-4 itself cannot promote development. IL-4, like macrophage CSF, translocates PKC-alpha to the nucleus in GM-CFC, this redistribution of protein kinase C alpha (PKC-alpha) being inhibited by calphostin C (a PKC inhibitor). Calphostin C also blocked IL-4-mediated development of macrophages in stem cell factor- and granulocyte-CSF-treated cells. This is further evidence that PKC-alpha translocation is involved in the commitment of GM-CFC to macrophage development. This data also suggests that agonist-stimulated lineage commitment can be uncoupled from development in normal hematopoietic cells.

Discordant regulation of SCL/TAL-1 mRNA and protein during erythroid differentiation

The SCL/TAL1 gene was originally identified by virtue of its rearrangement and transcriptional activation in patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It encodes a helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is not normally expressed in T cells, but is expressed in erythroid, mast, megakaryocytic and progenitor cells. Over-expression of sense and antisense constructs have implicated SCL as a positive regulator of erythroid differentiation. In addition we have previously shown that SCL mRNA levels undergo biphasic modulation during induced erythroid differentiation of murine erythroleukaemia (MEL) cells with a transient early fall followed by a late rise. In this paper we have studied expression of the SCL protein during erythroid differentiation and also the molecular basis for the raised SCL mRNA levels that accompany erythroid differentiation. We have generated an anti-SCL antiserum and used it to demonstrate that an early transient fall in SCL protein does not occur during induced differentiation of MEL cells. Furthermore SCL protein levels underwent a late fall in three different models of erythroid differentiation and in two models of myeloid differentiation. The fall in SCL protein levels during induced erythroid differentiation contrasted with the concomitant marked rise in SCL mRNA levels. These observations have significant implications for the mechanism by which SCL may regulate erythropoiesis. In addition we have demonstrated that the stability of SCL mRNA was only marginally enhanced during erythroid differentiation of MEL cells, whereas the activity of a luciferase reporter construct driven by the SCL promoter was increased 11- to 17-fold. Up-regulation of transcription therefore accounted for most of the increase in SCL mRNA levels during erythroid differentiation.

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha mediated growth inhibition in a haemopoietic stem cell line is associated with inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate generation

Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) can inhibit the proliferation of multipotent haemopoietic cells. Using the FDCP-Mix A4 multipotent stem cell line, MIP-1 alpha was shown to inhibit 1L-3 stimulated cell cycling (assessed using the [3H]-thymidine "suicide" assay). Furthermore, MIP-1 alpha can inhibit 1L-3-stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation in FDCP-Mix cells, with half maximal inhibition observed at 3 ng/ml MIP-1 alpha. Prostaglandin E2, but not MIP-1 alpha was able to elevate cyclic AMP levels in FDCP-Mix A4 cells although both agents can cause growth inhibition. However, MIP-1 alpha addition resulted in a pertussis-toxin-insensitive increase in the level of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate (Ins 1,4,5P3). This response was both rapid (maximal at 5 seconds) and transient. A half maximal effect was observed at 5 ng/ml MIP-1 alpha and the dose dependency correlated with that for MIP-1 alpha mediated growth inhibition. A rapid increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels was also observed in response to MIP-1 alpha. Inositol lipid hydrolysis and an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ (signals normally associated with proliferation) may therefore be implicated in growth inhibitory mechanisms in multipotent cells.

Combinations of colony-stimulating factors promote enhanced proliferative potential in enriched granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells

The effects of combinations of colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have been assessed using a highly enriched population of murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC). Unlike the situation observed with more primitive myeloid progenitor cells, little or no effect on the numbers of colonies formed from GM-CFC in response to specific combinations of growth factors was observed; however, the size of the majority of colonies formed was greatly increased. The largest increase in the number of cells per colony was observed when interleukin-3 (IL-3) was present with either granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), GM-CSF plus granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF); there was a > five-fold increase when compared to colony size in the presence of IL-3 alone. The combination of G-CSF with IL-3 was not able to promote an increase in mean colony size; however, G-CSF plus GM-CSF did give a significant increase. Where combinations of hematopoietic growth factors led to increased numbers of cells per colony, the delayed addition of one of the cytokines to soft gel assays for a period > 2 days led to a loss of the observed enhancement in the number of cells per colony. In cultures of progenitor cells enriched by centrifugal elutriation and that contained combinations of CSFs, there was an increase in the number of GM-CFC over a 2-day incubation period. The distinct effects observed with GM-CSF, IL-3, and G-CSF on GM-CFC suggest that they influence different molecular signaling mechanisms within common target progenitor cells.

Expression of lineage restricted transcription factors precedes lineage specific differentiation in a multipotent haemopoietic progenitor cell line

Lineage commitment and differentiation are likely to be coordinated by the combined effects of multiple transcription factors acting on numerous different target genes. The mechanisms by which lineage-restricted patterns of transcription factor expression are established are therefore of particular relevance to our understanding of the role of transcription factors both in normal development and in oncogenesis. Here, we report that the genes for the lineage-restricted transcription factors SCL, GATA-1 and GATA-2 are expressed in all multipotent, IL-3-dependent, haemopoietic progenitor cell lines tested. Moreover, a liquid differentiation assay has been used to demonstrate down regulation of SCL, GATA-1, GATA-2 and PU-1 during differentiation into non-expressing lineages. These data support the concept that multiple lineage-restricted transcription factors are expressed prior to lineage commitment.

Cytokine-mediated protein kinase C activation is a signal for lineage determination in bipotential granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells

Granulocyte macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) have the potential to develop into either macrophages and/or neutrophils. With a highly enriched population of these cells we have found that although GM-CFC are equally responsive to macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF) in terms of DNA synthesis, M-CSF stimulated the development of colonies containing macrophages in soft gel assays, while SCF promoted neutrophilic colony formation. When SCF and M-CSF were combined, mainly macrophage development was stimulated both in soft agar colony-forming assays and liquid cultures. An analysis of some potential signaling mechanisms associated with cytokine-mediated developmental decisions in GM-CFC revealed that M-CSF, but not SCF, was able to chronically stimulate phosphatidylcholine breakdown and diacylglycerol production, indicating that protein kinase C (PKC) may be involved in the action of M-CSF. Furthermore, M-CSF, but not SCF, can increase the levels of PKC alpha (PKC alpha) expression and stimulate the translocation of PKC alpha to the nucleus. When the PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, was added to GM-CFC cultured in M-CSF then predominantly neutrophils were produced, conversely PKC activators added with SCF stimulated macrophage development. The data indicate a role for PKC in M-CSF-stimulated macrophage development from GM-CFC.

Growth factors and the molecular control of haematopoiesis

In the absence of appropriate growth factors, for example interleukin-3 or GM-CSF, cultured bone marrow stem cells die by a process known as apoptosis or programmed cell death. Apoptosis may occur in vivo when concentrations of specific growth factors are limiting and may be a means of regulating cell numbers. Growth factors are also essential for proliferation of bone marrow stem cells but differentiation can occur, provided there is a survival stimulus in the absence of growth factors. Combinations of growth factors may be synergistic in stimulating the survival and proliferation of multipotent stem cells. Although neither stem cell factor, nor GM-CSF alone can significantly induce the proliferation of stem cells, the combination induces the proliferation of these cells. Committed progenitor cells such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells, however, are stimulated to proliferate by GM-CSF alone, while stem cell factor in combination with GM-CSF results in only a slight additive effect. To date, most research has concentrated on the growth stimulatory factors. GM-CSF has an important role in the reversal of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in cancer patients and in other bone marrow disorders. A number of growth inhibitory molecules have now been identified, such as macrophage inhibitory protein-1 alpha. In the future, it is possible that improvements in cure rates may be achieved in cancer patients by combining the growth inhibitory factors with the stimulatory factors. Inhibitory factors may be given before chemotherapy to prevent toxicity and stimulatory factors may be given afterwards to treat neutropenic patients.

Macrophage inflammatory protein: its characteristics, biological properties and role in the regulation of haemopoiesis

Studies on haemopoietic stem cells had led to the realisation that negative feedback inhibitors play an important role in regulating their proliferation. One such molecule was identified as MIP-1 alpha. One of a family of cytokines, originally recognised as inflammatory molecules, MIP-1 alpha is now potentially valuable as a means of manipulating and protecting haemopoietic (and possibly other) stem cells during chemotherapy. This short review briefly considers the structural classification of MIP-1 alpha and its molecular relatives and indicates some of the probable human/murine equivalent molecules outlining the evidence for the equivalence of MIP-1 alpha (murine) and LD78 (human). Sources of MIP-1 alpha/LD78 are identified as monocyte/macrophage and lymphocytic cells and their role in inflammatory responses is seen to be significant. All proliferation in haemopoietic tissue is now recognised as a major target for MIP-1 alpha action. In vitro it synergises with certain growth factors to promote progenitor cell colony formation, but effects are dependent on the maturational age of the cells promoted. With more primitive cells it is seen as inhibitory. This property is particularly valuable in vivo where MIP-1 alpha can protect stem cells against the effects of cytotoxic agents. Since it appears that leukaemic stem cell proliferation is not inhibited, MIP-1 alpha/LD78 present great potential for stem cell protection in the theatre of cytotoxic therapies.

Protein kinase C activators can interact synergistically with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or interleukin-6 to stimulate colony formation from enriched granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells

The effects of direct activators of protein kinase C (PKC) (the phorbol ester tetradecanoyl phorbol myristic acid [TPA] or bryostatin) on the ability of a highly enriched population of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) to proliferate and develop in soft agar was assessed. In the absence of colony stimulating factors, the PKC activators did not stimulate colony formation. However, in the presence of optimal concentrations of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or interleukin-6 (IL-6), TPA or bryostatin markedly elevated the number of colonies formed from the GM-CFC. In the absence of TPA, IL-6, and G-CSF, respectively, both stimulated the formation of about 3% of the colonies observed when IL-3 was present. When TPA plus G-CSF or IL-6 were added together, this figure increased to 48% and 54%, respectively. In both instances, the types of mature cells formed was altered from colonies of mature neutrophilic cells to a mixture consisting predominantly of macrophages with some neutrophils. Similar results were observed when bryostatin replaced TPA in these assays. When single cell colony-forming assays were performed, the same results were obtained. The presence of G-CSF, or IL-6, and the activator of PKC used (TPA or bryostatin) was required throughout the colony-forming assay for an optimal synergistic effect to be observed. These data indicate that agents that activate PKC can promote the proliferation and development of GM-CFC via a synergistic interaction with G-CSF or IL-6. Furthermore, there is an apparent role for PKC in development and possibly lineage commitment of GM-CFC.

Haemopoietic stem cell development to neutrophils is associated with subcellular redistribution and differential expression of protein kinase C subspecies

Multipotential FDCP-Mix A4 (A4) cells can be induced either to self-renew or to differentiate and develop into mature neutrophils in liquid culture, depending on the haemopoietic growth factors with which they are cultured. When cultured in low concentrations of interleukin 3 (IL-3, 1 unit/ml)) plus Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF), A4 cells proliferate with accompanying development to form cells which resemble mature, postmitotic neutrophils. The presence of high concentrations of IL-3 (100 units/ml) blocks the development of A4 cells even in the presence of GM-CSF plus G-CSF. A4 cell development to neutrophils is accompanied by major changes in the expression of protein kinase C (PKC) subspecies in these cells. The predominant subspecies present in multipotent A4 cells, as judged by direct chromatographic analysis, was the type III enzyme (alpha) subspecies, whereas in mature A4 cell neutrophils, the type II (beta I + beta II) enzymes were predominant. Phorbol esters added to immature A4 cells resulted in a proliferative response, but when added to postmitotic A4 cells resembling neutrophils they elicited a large increase in reactive oxygen intermediate production. This suggests that the type III (alpha) subspecies may mediate proliferative responses in stem cells, whilst the type II (beta I + beta II) enzymes are more important for the mature cell functions of postmitotic neutrophils. In cultures containing IL-3 (100 units/ml) both the type III, and also the type II subspecies were predominantly membrane-associated for prolonged periods (&gt; 24 hours).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression and downregulation of cytotoxic cell protease 1 or Granzyme 'B' transcripts during myeloid differentiation of interleukin-3-dependent murine stem cell lines

Using the technique of differential cDNA library screening, we have molecularly cloned a gene that is highly expressed in an undifferentiated myeloid multipotent and growth factor-dependent stem cell line (FDCP-Mix) and that downregulates as these cells are induced to differentiate along monocytic, granulocytic, and erythroid cell lineages. Sequence analysis of this gene has shown homology with a previously cloned gene, cytotoxic cell protease 1 (CCP1 or Granzyme 'B'), that has been shown to be expressed only in thymocytes, activated T cells, a mast cell line, and peritoneal exudate leukocytes. In situ hybridization, Northern blot analysis, and nuclear run-off assay has confirmed that expression of CCP1 is restricted to the phenotypically primitive multipotent undifferentiated. FDCP-Mix cells that are undergoing self-renewal in the presence of growth factors such as interleukin-3.

Stem cell factor directly stimulates the development of enriched granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells and promotes the effects of other colony-stimulating factors

The effects of the c-kit ligand (stem cell factor [SCF]) on the development of a highly enriched population of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) were assessed. In soft agar assays, both in serum-containing and in serum-deprived cultures, SCF promoted the formation of colonies that contained predominantly granulocytic cells with some blast cells also present. The size of these colonies was far smaller than observed in the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3). In serum-deprived conditions, no colonies were formed in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), but when M-CSF was combined with SCF, a marked change was noted in that large colonies were produced containing predominantly macrophages. When GM-CFC were cultured in the presence of IL-3 and SCF, colonies were formed that contained blast cells, granulocytes, and macrophages. A synergistic interaction was also seen using a combination of G-CSF plus SCF in either serum-containing or serum-deprived cultures. The addition of SCF to colony-forming assays markedly reduced the concentration of IL-3 or G-CSF required for optimal levels of colony formation. Furthermore, SCF was capable of promoting the survival of GM-CFC for several days, after which large colonies containing mature cells were formed upon the addition of a secondary growth factor such as G-CSF or IL-3. Thus, SCF can directly act on highly enriched committed progenitor cells in serum-deprived conditions to promote survival, proliferation, and development.

Recombinant human interleukin 4 (IL-4) given as daily subcutaneous injections--a phase I dose toxicity trial

Recombinant Interleukin 4 was administered by subcutaneous injection at daily doses of 0.5, 1.0 or 5.0 micrograms kg-1 to nine patients as part of a Phase I Dose Toxicity Study. Dose limiting toxicity was reached at 5 micrograms kg-1 day-1. Symptoms of toxicity included fatigue, 'flu like symptoms and elevated liver enzymes. Modest but significant elevations of neutrophil and platelet counts occurred. No clear evidence of antitumour effects emerged although pain in metastatic lymph nodes and a small fall in myeloma paraprotein levels during dosing were observed. In vitro and murine in vivo studies indicate that patients with lymphoproliferative disease should be selected for Phase II trials.

Biological and structural properties of MIP-1 alpha expressed in yeast

The murine macrophage inflammatory proteins-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) and MIP-1 beta are distinct but closely related cytokines. Partially purified mixtures of the two proteins affect neutrophil function and cause local inflammation and fever. The particular properties of MIP-1 alpha have not been well studied, although it has been identified as being identical to an inhibitor of haemopoietic stem cell growth. We have expressed MIP-1 alpha in yeast cells and purified it to sequence homogeneity. Structural analysis of this biologically active material by circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy confirms that MIP-1 alpha has a very similar secondary and tertiary structure to platelet factor 4 and interleukin 8 with which it shares limited sequence homology. The in-vitro stem cell inhibitory properties have been confirmed using a range of murine progenitor cells including purified bone marrow progenitor cells (FACS-1), the FDCP-mix A4 cell line, and spleen colony forming unit (CFU-S) populations. Plateau levels of inhibition of stem cell growth were achieved using concentrations of 0.15 micrograms/ml MIP-1 alpha. We have also demonstrated that MIP-1 alpha is active in vivo: 5 micrograms of MIP-1 alpha per mouse given as a bolus injection, protects stem cells from subsequent in-vitro killing by tritiated thymidine. MIP-1 alpha was also shown to enhance the proliferation of more committed progenitor granulocyte macrophage-colony forming cells (GM-CFC) in response to granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Interferon-gamma stimulates the survival and influences the development of bipotential granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells

The effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on a highly enriched population of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC) were assessed. When added with myeloid growth factors (interleukin-3 [IL-3], granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], or macrophage-CSF [M-CSF]), IFN-gamma inhibited the formation of colonies in soft agar assays. Furthermore IFN-gamma stimulated an increase in the number of macrophages present in colonies formed in the presence of IL-3. IFN-gamma also inhibited M-CSF-, GM-CSF-, or IL-3-stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation in highly enriched GM-CFC. However, when added in the absence of hematopoietic growth factors, IFN-gamma promoted the survival of GM-CFC and had a modest stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis. The direct interaction of the IFN with GM-CFC was confirmed by showing its ability to rapidly activate the sodium/hydrogen antiport in GM-CFC, as do the mitogens GM-CSF, M-CSF, and IL-3. However, the effect of IFN-gamma on intracellular pH and DNA synthesis was transient and pretreatment with IFN markedly inhibited the ability of GM-CSF, M-CSF, and IL-3 to activate the sodium/hydrogen antiport. IFN-gamma has a dual effect on GM-CFC, decreasing the rate of cell death but also limiting the proliferative response to CSFs.

Selective inhibition of primitive hemopoietic colony-forming cells by an extract from normal marrow: comparison with transforming growth factor-beta

An extract from normal bone marrow (NBME) which inhibits proliferation of spleen colony-forming units CFU-S selectively inhibits interleukin 3 (IL-3)-driven colony formation by primitive hemopoietic progenitors. This activity is distinct from transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), which also inhibits development of primitive progenitors. There is evidence that the two activities inhibit proliferation of target cells by different mechanisms and that the bone marrow extract has a direct effect on cell cycling, whereas the effect of TGF beta to suppress proliferation is probably indirect.

Serum-free culture of enriched murine haemopoietic stem cells. II: Effects of growth factors and haemin on development

A serum-free culture system was used to determine the effects of growth factors on the clonogenic development of a population of cells highly enriched for multipotential day 12 spleen colony forming cells (CFU-S) (FACS-BM). Under these conditions, interleukin-3 (IL-3) was found to be primarily a proliferative stimulus, the progenitor cells developing in the clonal assay systems produced colonies of morphologically undifferentiated cells for up to 20 days. No such induction of proliferation without maturation was observed with other growth factors (eg. granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)). However, combinations of IL-3 plus secondary growth factors such as GM-CSF, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) led to the formation of colonies containing mature haemopoietic cells of the granulocytic, megakaryocytic or monocytic lineages. In contrast, erythroid development did not occur unless the protoporphyrin, haemin, was added to the cultures. Under these conditions mature erythroid cells were produced in cultures containing either IL-3 or GM-CSF (with or without erythropoietin (epo)). In replating experiments it was determined that the FACS-BM cells were able to generate large numbers of clonogenic cells for up to 30-40 free cultures. Such cultures, therefore, may be useful for investigating the biological and basis of the generation of clonogenic cells and of haemopoietic cell differentiation and development in response to growth factors.

Development of multipotential haemopoietic stem cells to neutrophils is associated with increased expression of receptors for granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor: altered biological responses to GM-CSF during development

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) dependent multipotent haemopoietic stem cells FDCP-Mix A4 (A4) were induced to differentiate and develop into mature neutrophils in response to Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) plus granulocyte CSF (G-CSF). This resulted in an increase in cell number over seven days of culture, following which the cells lost the ability to undergo further proliferation. The effect of GM-CSF on these cells has been assessed at various stages of development. Clonogenic cells, able to respond to GM-CSF, were generated only at days 3, 4 post-induction. From day 5 onwards, mature post-mitotic neutrophils are produced and clonogenic cells are lost. Loss of proliferative potential, in response to GM-CSF, was confirmed using [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Receptors for GM-CSF, were also measured during development using [125I]-GM-CSF binding assays. Although the dissociation constant for GM-CSF binding sites did not vary considerably, the number of such sites increased dramatically from about 20 (day 0, when the cells have a primitive morphology) to about 1000 by day 6 (when the cells are predominantly mature neutrophils). GM-CSF-stimulated Na+/H+ antiport activation was also determined. Although few GM-CSF receptors are expressed at day 0, there is a significant response (63% of maximal) to GM-CSF in terms of intracellular alkalinisation: this response increased markedly until, by day 4 (700 GM-CSF binding sites/cell), there is a maximal activation of the antiport by GM-CSF. By day 7 (greater than 900 GM-CSF binding sites/cell), however, there is significant reduction in activation of the Na+/H+ antiport by GM-CSF. Nonetheless, increased viability of these mature cells is still seen in response to GM-CSF. These results suggest that not only does expression of GM-CSF receptors alter during development of multipotential cells to mature neutrophils, but that these receptors are coupled to different intracellular effector mechanisms as the cells progressively mature.

Serum-free culture of enriched murine haemopoietic stem cells. I: Effect of haemopoietic growth factors on proliferation

Using a population of cells highly enriched for multipotential day 12 spleen colony forming cells (CFU-S) (termed the FACS-BM population), and a serum-free culture system, the requirements for development of multipotential cell have been investigated and compared to previous results using serum containing cultures. In both serum-free and serum supplemented cultures interleukin-3 (IL-3) was a potent colony stimulating factor, although it was more effective in serum free conditions. However, colony stimulation by granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) was markedly reduced in the absence of serum. Significantly, the ability of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to synergise with these two growth factors was retained in serum-free conditions, indicating that these growth factors act directly on the FACS-BM without serum co-factors. Furthermore synergistic interactions between IL-3 plus IL-1, and IL-3 plus M-CSF were only manifest in serum-free conditions. The significance of these results in relation to the ability of these growth factors to act directly on multipotential cells is discussed.