Early CD34high cells can be separated into KIThigh cells in which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) downmodulates c-kit and KITlow cells in which anti-TGF-beta upmodulates c-kit

Blood. 1995 Sep 1;86(5):1729-35.

Abstract

We have previously shown that early human CD34high hematopoietic progenitors are maintained quiescent in part through autocrine transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). We also demonstrated that, in the presence of interleukin-3, interleukin-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and erythropoietin, TGF-beta 1 antisense oligonucleotides or anti-TGF-beta serum have an additive effect with KIT ligand (Steel factor [SF]), which suggests that they control different pathways of regulation in these conditions. This finding also suggests that autocrine TGF-beta 1 might suppress c-kit expression in primitive human hematopoietic progenitors. We have now distinguished two subpopulations of CD34high cells. One subpopulation expresses a c-kit mRNA that can be downmodulated by exogenous TGF-beta 1 within 6 hours. Another subpopulation of early CD34high cells expresses a low or undetectable level of c-kit mRNA, but its expression can be upmodulated within 6 hours by anti-TGF-beta. These effects disappear 48 hours after induction and cannot be maintained longer than 72 hours, even if TGF-beta 1 or anti-TGF-beta serum are added every day. Similar kinetics, although delayed, are observed with KIT protein expression. On the contrary, no specific effect of TGF-beta 1 was observed on c-fms, GAPDH, and transferrin receptor gene expression in these early progenitors. These results clarify the complex interaction between TGF-beta 1 and SF in normal early hematopoietic progenitors. SF does not switch off the TGF-beta 1 inhibitory pathway. Autocrine TGF-beta 1 appears to maintain these cells in a quiescent state, suppressing cell division by downmodulating the receptor of SF, a key cytokine costimulator of early progenitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Cell Separation / methods
  • Erythropoietin / pharmacology
  • Fetal Blood / cytology
  • Gene Expression
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / biosynthesis
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / pharmacology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interleukin-3 / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-6 / pharmacology
  • Kinetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / analysis*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Proto-Oncogenes
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / analysis*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Colony-Stimulating Factor / analysis*
  • Receptors, Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Transferrin / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors
  • Interleukin-3
  • Interleukin-6
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Receptors, Transferrin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Erythropoietin
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor