The FLT3 ligand potently and directly stimulates the growth and expansion of primitive murine bone marrow progenitor cells in vitro: synergistic interactions with interleukin (IL) 11, IL-12, and other hematopoietic growth factors.

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.181.4.1357
• Publication Date: 2004-06-24T07:56:10Z
• Authors: S E Jacobsen; C Okkenhaug; J Myklebust; O P Veiby; S D Lyman
• Keywords: Interleukin 3

The recently cloned murine flt3 ligand (FL) was studied for its ability to stimulate the growth of primitive (Lin-Sca-1+) and more committed (Lin-Sca-1-) bone marrow progenitor cells, alone in combination with other hematopoietic factors (HGFs). Whereas FL a weak proliferative stimulator alone, it potently synergized number HGFs, including all four colony-stimulating factor (CSF), interleukin (IL) 6, IL-11, IL-12, stem cell (SCF), promote colony formation Lin-Sca-1+, but not Lin-Sca-1- or erythroid cells. synergistic activity concentration dependent, maximum stimulation occurring at 250 ng/ml, observed when cells were plated one per culture, suggesting that effects are directly mediated. 2 wk treatment IL-3 SCF resulted production high proportion mature myeloid (granulocytes macrophages), whereas G-CSF, IL-12 predominantly an immature blast appearance. Accordingly, G-CSF IL-11 expanded progenitors than 40-fold after incubation. Thus, emerges as potent HGF, numerous can proliferation, differentiation, expansion