Characterization of murine hematopoietic progenitor subsets involved in
interleukin-3-induced interleukin-6 production
E Schneider, RE Ploemacher, S Navarro, C van Beurden and M Dy
CNRS URA 1461, Hopital Necker, Paris, France.
Various murine cell populations were tested for their ability to generate
interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to IL-3. Among these, bone marrow cells
exhibit the most prominent IL-6 production. The responder cells in this
organ have been further characterized by cell fractionation on a
discontinuous Ficoll gradient, fluorescence- activated cell sorting, and in
situ hybridization. These procedures have allowed us to ascribe the
following features to the cells mainly responsible for IL-3-induced IL-6
production: (1) they possess a low density and a relatively high forward
and perpendicular light scatter (FLS/PLS); (2) they are characterized by a
high rhodamine (Rh) retention; and (3) their enrichment in various
subpopulations is similar to that obtained for progenitors forming colonies
in the methylcellulose assay colony-forming units (CFU-C). In contrast,
IL-3 target cells in terms of IL-6 production are absent both in the mature
and in the most immature bone marrow compartment. Indeed, the Rh-dull
population that is enriched for cells with marrow repopulating activity
does not respond to the growth factor and mature cells cannot be induced to
express IL-6 as assessed by (1) FLS/PLS characteristics, (2) the monoclonal
antibody ER-MP 20 recognizing monocytes and granulocytic cells, and (3) in
situ hybridization. Taken together, our data support the conclusion that
the bone marrow cells generating IL-6 in response to IL-3 belong to a
progenitor population with enhanced mitochondrial activity, comprising
probably several types of immature cells of the myeloid lineage including
macrophage/granulocyte precursors.
Volume 78,
Issue 2,
pp. 329-338,
07/15/1991
Copyright © 1991 by The American Society of Hematology
