An IL-6/IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6R) hybrid protein (H-IL-6) induces EPO-independent erythroid differentiation in human CD34(+) cells

Cytokine. 2000 Sep;12(9):1395-9. doi: 10.1006/cyto.2000.0723.

Abstract

H-IL-6 is a hybrid protein constructed to contain IL-6 and its soluble receptor linked by a flexible peptide chain. Here we show that H-IL-6 strongly enhances proliferation of human CD34(+)cells in serum-free liquid culture, and that the majority of the cells generated belong to the erythroid lineage, being positive for the marker Glycophorin A. Conversely, H-IL-6 does not increase the number of myeloid, CD13-positive cells. Comparable effects are observed on progenitors from cord blood and adult peripheral blood. Therefore, H-IL-6 triggers an erythroid-inducing signal in haematopoietic progenitor cells, independently from erythropoietin (EPO).

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD34 / biosynthesis*
  • CD13 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / cytology*
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Erythropoietin / pharmacology
  • Fetal Blood / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glycophorins / biosynthesis
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Stem Cell Factor / pharmacology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Culture Media, Serum-Free
  • Glycophorins
  • Interleukin-6
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Stem Cell Factor
  • Erythropoietin
  • CD13 Antigens