Retroviral-mediated marker gene transfer in hematopoiesis-supportive marrow stromal cells.

A Moloney-derived retrovirus containing both LacZ and NeoR genes (G1BgSVNa from Genetic Therapy, Inc.), was used to transduce human and murine bone marrow stromal cells. Different kinds of stromal cells that were able to support hematopoiesis were transduced by incubation for 24 h in the presence of virus-containing supernatant. Semiconfluent layers of MRC-5 (human, myofibroblastic, fetal, pulmonary) and MS-5 (murine, myofibroblastic, medullary) cells were successfully transduced after one 24-h incubation, as demonstrated by G418 resistance and Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase staining. In contrast, human stromal cells, purified from primary confluent layers grown for 3-4 weeks, could not be transduced. However, stromal cells generated after 10-12 days in culture from Stro-1+ and 1B10+ stromal precursors were successfully transduced in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor. Transduced stromal cells maintained a myofibroblastic phenotype, although with a decreased number of alpha-SM actin-positive microfilaments in MS-5 cells. The ability to support the generation of stroma-adherent colony-forming cells from cocultured cord blood CD34+ cells after 4 weeks in culture was similar before and after transduction and G418 selection. In conclusion, human primary stromal precursors can be efficiently transduced, and the stromal cell phenotype and function are not significantly altered after retroviral-mediated transfer of marker genes.

M-CSF: haematopoietic growth factor or inflammatory cytokine?

Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), initially described as a growth factor of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage, also participates in immunological and inflammatory reactions, bone metabolism and pregnancy. All its biological activities are mediated by a tyrosine kinase receptor (M-CSF-R) that is encoded by the c-fms protooncogene. After a brief overview on the synthesis, structure, metabolism and signalling of M-CSF and its receptor, we present with more details the major in vitro and/or in vivo biological activities of this cytokine. A particular attention has been devoted to the results suggesting that the various M-CSF isoforms (i.e. soluble, cell-associated and matrix anchored forms) play different specific roles on target cells bearing M-CSF-R at their surface. Infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases in which M-CSF is involved and could participate to their physiopathology are mentioned. Finally, the role that the various isoforms of M-CSF could play in the regulation of "physiological and pathological cytokine networks" during inflammatory and immune responses is discussed.

Spontaneous and inducible production of leukaemia inhibitory factor by human bone marrow stromal cells.

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) acts on the growth and differentiation of haematopoietic cells. By using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for human LIF, we demonstrate that human bone marrow stromal cells produce LIF. LIF synthesis is enhanced in a dose-dependent manner after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMAS). LIF production in response to PMA is PKC-dependent since the two PKC inhibitors sphingosine and staurosporine markedly diminished it. Interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and SCF (both at 10 ng/ml) stimulate LIF production. By contrast macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte (G)-CSF, GM-CSF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-activating factor (PAF), protaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) did not. These results suggest that bone marrow stromal cells might represent a major source for the cytokine-regulated local production of LIF inside human bone marrow.

Proliferation of LAMA-84 and LAMA-87 cell lines is modulated by autocrine loops involving M-CSF and TGF-beta.

The erythromegakaryocytic cell line (LAMA-84) and the erythroeosinophilic cell line (LAMA-87) were used to study receptor expression and receptor-mediated response to monocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), two modulators of cell proliferation. As demonstrated by Northern blot analysis and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), c-fms and M-CSF mRNA were expressed in both cell lines. M-CSF was detected in the supernatant of both cell lines and addition of a neutralizing anti-M-CSF antibody inhibited cell growth. The two LAMA cell lines were found to express TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3 mRNAs and to secrete TGF-beta mostly in latent form. Addition of anti-TGF-beta antibodies to the culture medium increased their proliferation, whereas TGF-beta1 inhibited cell proliferation by downregulating the c-myc mRNA. These results show that the proliferation of both LAMA cell lines is positively and negatively regulated by autocrine mechanisms, implying the presence of M-CSF and TGF-beta, respectively. They suggest that similar autocrine loops could be involved in the growth regulation of leukemic cells in vivo.

Cytokines active on granulomonopoiesis: release and consumption by human marrow myoid [corrected] stromal cells.

Haemopoiesis is sustained and preferentially committed to granulomonopoiesis by myoid [corrected] stromal cells generated by colony-derived cell lines (CDCL). Using ELISA and RIA, we studied, in the supernatant of cells from CDCL, the time course of interleukins 3 and 6 (IL-3, IL-6), stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte-macrophage, granulocyte and macrophage colony stimulating factors (GM-CSF, G-CSF and M-CSF), macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1). IL-6, GM-CSF, M-CSF and MIP-1alpha were released into the supernatant after medium renewal and, except for M-CSF, addition of IL-1beta. G-CSF was detected only after addition of IL-1beta. SCF, contained in medium, first declined and then increased 24 h after medium renewal. Release of TGF beta1 started 24 h after medium renewal and lasted until day 7. IL-3, provided by horse serum, declined throughout the 7d of observation. In conclusion, stromal cells from CDCL synthesized and released into the supernatant. IL-6, GM-CSF, G-CSF, M-CSF and MIP-1alpha after stimulation by seric factor(s) and/or IL-1beta. TGF beta1 was synthesized and released without any obvious extraneous stimuli. There is no definite argument for synthesis of soluble SCF and IL-3. These data support a model where growth factors increase shortly after medium renewal, and negative regulators take over at a later time.

Thrombocytopenia in the sepsis syndrome: role of hemophagocytosis and macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

BACKGROUND: Thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in critically ill patients with the sepsis syndrome, but its mechanisms frequently remain undetermined. Hemophagocytosis has been reported as a cause of thrombocytopenia in various diseases. This prospective study was designed to assess: (1) the incidence of hemophagocytosis in patients suffering from both the sepsis syndrome and unexplained thrombocytopenia, and (2) the circulating level of the macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) according to the presence or absence of hemophagocytosis. METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients diagnosed with both the sepsis syndrome and thrombocytopenia of undetermined origin were studied. Hemophagocytosis was diagnosed based on microscopical examination of sternal bone marrow aspiration by two independent observers. Serum M-CSF concentrations were measured in each patient and compared with levels of a normal population (n = 59). Causes and severity of sepsis syndromes as well as serum M-CSF levels were compared between patients with and without hemophagocytosis. RESULTS: Hemophagocytosis was diagnosed in 32 patients (64%). Mean serum M-CSF levels were increased in patients when compared with normal subjects (539 +/- 141 versus 208 +/- 82 IU/mL: P < 0.001), and higher in patients with than without hemophagocytosis (580 +/- 145 versus 457 +/- 89 IU/mL: P = 0.01). Multiorgan dysfunction and infection were independent risk factors of hemophagocytosis (odds ratio = 31.3 and 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.4 to 177.6 and 1.0 to 47.4, P <0.0001 and P = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Hemophagocytosis is a frequent cause of unexplained thrombocytopenia in patients with severe sepsis syndrome. Our results suggest that M-CSF is overproduced in the sepsis syndrome, particularly when hemophagocytosis is present. The role of M-CSF in the initiation and development of hemophagocytosis remains to be determined.

Spontaneous and inducible production of macrophage colony-stimulating factor by human bone marrow stromal cells.

Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (M-CSF), which is permanently present in blood and human bone marrow, regulates the proliferation, differentiation and functions of cells of the mononuclear-phagocytic lineage. By using Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) we demonstrate that human marrow stromal cells express two types of M-CSF transcripts that are translated into the secreted form and the membrane anchored form. By using a specific and sensitive ELISA, we found that the spontaneous production of M-CSF by human marrow stromal cells is enhanced after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) and most interestingly by the lipidic mediator of inflammation platelet-activating factor (PAF). Thus, marrow stromal cells might represent a regulated cell source of bone marrow-derived M-CSF. These results not only emphasize the importance of the bone marrow environment in the control of human hematopoiesis but also evidence, for the first time, the potential role of PAF in the marrow cytokine network during inflammatory processes.

Macrophage colony stimulating factor involvement in uremic patients.

The immunodeficiency of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) is related to multiple and complex alterations of the cytokine network and of its target cells such as T or B lymphocytes, monocytes, fibroblasts or endothelial cells. Chronic activation of monocytic functions is recognized as a key factor in these immunological disorders. Since macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is essential for the activation of several functions of monocytes and macrophages and their production of cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, we investigated its involvement in patients with CRF. When measured by ELISA, M-CSF serum levels were significantly higher in patients with progressive CRF and those on hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) than in controls. M-CSF serum levels did not correlate with the degree of renal insufficiency and were probably related to complex alterations in its production and/or degradation by the specific M-CSF receptors of macrophages. In HD patients the M-CSF serum concentrations inversely correlated with the number of circulating lymphocytes and were significantly higher in anemic patients requiring treatment with erythropoietin. Our results suggest that M-CSF may play a role in altering the immune system in uremic patients by maintaining in the circulation and tissues permanently primed monocytes and/or macrophages that can then be triggered to an activated state by secondary stimuli such as endotoxins, complement components, other cytokines or contact with foreign surfaces.

A "miniaturized" method for the karyotypic analysis of bone marrow or blood samples in hematological malignancies.

Standard techniques of karyotypic analysis of bone marrow or peripheral blood cells generally use large numbers of cells. Thus, the quantity of cells harvested from one bone marrow or blood puncture frequently represents a limiting factor for other assays such as molecular biology or flow cytometry, which are often essential for the diagnosis of hematological diseases. To resolve this problem, we developed a "miniaturized technique" of cytogenetic analysis that we tested on bone marrow (BM) cells from 20 patients with multiple myeloma (MM), 5 patients with acute leukemia (AL), as well as on CD34+ cells purified from the blood of 8 patients with agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM). We used 3 x 10(6) BM cells from MM patients (for testing 6 different culture conditions), 10(6) BM cells from AL (2 culture conditions) and 4 x 10(3) CD34+ cells from AMM patients. In most patients, 20 good quality metaphases per slide were easily analyzed, showing that a 10-40 times reduction of the number of cells used for cytogenetics allows a reliable karyotypic analysis in hematological malignancies.

Development of enzymo-immunoassays (EIA) for macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) by using the same capture and signal generating polyclonal antibody.

Specific high titre polyclonal antibodies rapidly obtained by intralymphnode immunization of rabbits with recombinant M-CSF and LIF (< 60 micrograms/animal) have been used to develop specific, accurate and sensitive EIAs. The same batch of purified anti-M-CSF or anti-LIF Igs has been used for the coating of 96-well plates (capture antibody) and for the quantitative detection of the bound cytokine molecules (soluble biotinylated Igs). The sensitivity (M-CSF: 10 IU/ml, LIF: 20 pg/ml), accuracy (intra-assay-CV: 8.2 to 12.8% for M-CSF; 0 to 19.9% for LIF) and reproducibility (inter-assay-CV: 7.9 to 13.6% for M-CSF; 4.9 to 17.5% for LIF) are equivalent to those for previously published RIAs or EIAs. These assays are highly specific since 11 other cytokines (Epo: 3 IU/ml; G-CSF: 100 IU/ml; CNTF, OSM, SCF, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-11, IL-13: 5 ng/ml) tested in both EIAs were not detectable. Finally, the M-CSF and LIF concentrations measured in various biological fluids were found to be similar to those measured by us and others with different assays. In conclusion, the methodology used for M-CSF and LIF EIAs presented in this work represents a valuable approach for most cytokines, particularly when they are still available in reduced amounts.

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) production in pleural effusions: comparison with production of IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF).

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a pleiotropic cytokine detected in various inflammatory body fluids, plays a poorly defined role in the pathogenesis of human disease. This study was conducted to correlate the LIF concentrations in pleural effusions with the type of pathology and to compare its levels with those of IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 and M-CSF for a given pathology. Pleural fluids from 97 patients were assayed for cytokines by specific ELISAs. The concentrations of all cytokines tested were higher in infectious pleural effusions than in other pathologies (malignant or transudative). The lowest levels were observed for transudates. Significant differences were noted between pathology groups for each cytokine. A good correlation was observed between LIF and IL-8 for malignant effusions [regression correlation coefficient (RC) = 0.480, P < 0.01], between LIF and IL-4 for infectious disorders (RC = 0.543, P < 0.05) between LIF and IL-10 for transudates (RC = 0.798, P < 0.001) and between M-CSF and IL-8 in all pathologies tested except for primitive neoplasia (P < 0.05). The LIF concentration in pleural space seems to be strongly associated with the intensity of inflammatory reaction. The LIF production appears to have different regulatory patterns between aetiologic groups.

PAF and haematopoiesis. X. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhance platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase production by human blood-derived macrophages.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a phospholipid autacoid with potent regulatory functions, is synthesized by stimulated monocytes. Macrophages are a source of the plasma acetylhydrolase activity (AHA) which regulates PAF concentrations. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) are involved in the differentiation and functions of cells from the monocytic/macrophagic lineage. This work reports that M-CSF and GM-CSF stimulated AHA production by human blood monocyte-derived macrophages in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After 7 days of culture without serum, a 6- and 4-fold increase was found in cells treated with M-CSF (1000 U/ml) and GM-CSF (50 ng/ml), respectively. M-CSF (up to 1000 U/ml) and GM-CSF (up to 10 ng/ml) did not induce PAF production by human blood monocytes. While GM-CSF (10 ng/ml) and interleukin-1 (10 U/ml) stimulated M-CSF production from monocyte-derived macrophages, PAF did not. These results indicate that M-CSF and GM-CSF enhance AHA production by human blood-derived macrophages cultured in low serum concentrations. Clearly the effects of growth factors on AHA production in vivo deserve to be assessed.

Plasma macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels during cardiopulmonary bypass with extracorporeal circulation.

Leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia occur during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Elevated circulating concentrations of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) are reported during thrombocytopenia and leukopenia of different origins. We have assessed M-CSF concentrations in 40 patients undergoing CPB with ECC. Plasma M-CSF concentrations were stable during ECC and increased at the 6th (7.3 +/- 0.7 IU/mug protein) and 24th (8.6 +/- 0.8 IU/mug protein) postoperative hour compared with pre-ECC values (4.9 +/- 0.5 IU/mug protein). A deep thrombocytopenia was found during ECC and until the 24th postoperative hour. A drop of leukocyte counts was found during ECC followed by an increase after ECC weaning. While no correlation was found between M-CSF concentrations and the leukocyte counts, M-CSF values were positively correlated with platelet counts only before and during ECC. Thus, M-CSF is not implicated in the thrombocytopenia and the leukopenia generated during CPB with ECC. However the elevated levels of M-CSFa few hours after the end of ECC might play a role in the inflammatory process often observed after CPB.