Influence of IL-1 alpha and -1 beta on the survival of human bone marrow cells responding to hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors

Purified recombinant human (rhu) IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta were evaluated for their effects on the proliferation and survival of granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) progenitor cells from normal human bone marrow (BM). Using nonadherent low density T lymphocyte depleted (NALT-) BM cells cultured in the presence or absence of IL-1, CSF-deprivation studies demonstrated that IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta by itself did not enhance the proliferation of CFU-GM or BFU-E. They did, however, promote the survival of progenitors responding to the delayed addition of media conditioned by the 5637 cell line (5637 conditioned medium), rhu GM-CSF and erythropoietin. The survival promoting effects of IL-1 alpha on CFU-GM and BFU-E were neutralized by anti-IL-1 alpha mAb added to the cultures. The survival promoting effect of IL-1 alpha did not appear to be mediated by CSF, because neither CSF nor erythroid burst promoting activity were detectable in cultures in which NALT- cells were incubated with rhuIL-1 alpha. In addition, suboptimal concentrations of rhu macrophage CSF (CSF-1), G-CSF, GM-CSF, and IL-3, which were just below the levels that would stimulate colony formation, did not enhance progenitor cell survival. Survival of CFU-GM and BFU-E in low density (LD) bone marrow cells did not decrease as drastically as that in NALT- BM cells, and exogenously added IL-1 did not enhance progenitor cell survival of CFU-GM and BFU-E in LD BM cells. However, addition of anti-IL-1 beta decreased survival of CFU-GM and BFU-E in LD BM cells. These results implicate IL-1 in the prolonged survival of human CFU-GM and BFU-E.     

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factors alpha and beta stimulate fibroblasts to produce hemopoietic growth factors in vitro

The influences of TNF alpha and TNF beta were evaluated for their stimulatory and inhibitory effects on in vitro colony formation by human bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E), and multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitor cells. Both TNF alpha and TNF beta induced fibroblasts to produce stimulators of CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEMM in a dose-dependent fashion. Similar results were seen when equivalent concentrations of TNF alpha and TNF beta were used. Prior incubation of the TNF alpha and TNF beta with their respective antibodies inactivated the ability of the TNF preparations to induce the release of granulocyte-macrophage, erythroid, and multipotential colony-stimulating activity from fibroblasts. In addition, incubation of the TNF-induced fibroblast supernatant with antibody before colony assay resulted in enhanced colony formation, suggesting that the TNF carried over into the colony assay suppressed colony formation. Additional proof of this suppression by TNF was evident when TNF was added directly to the CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEMM colony assays. IL-1 does not appear to function as an intermediary in growth factor production by fibroblasts stimulated with TNF because antibody to IL-1 displayed no effect. Furthermore, assay of TNF-induced fibroblast supernatant was negative for IL-1. These results suggest that TNF alpha and TNF beta exert both a positive and negative influence on in vitro hemopoietic colony formation.     

Evidence suggesting a stimulatory role for interleukin-10 in erythropoiesis in vitro

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing macrophage proliferation and inhibiting cytokine production. In this study we show that in the presence of erythropoietin (EPO), the addition of IL-10 results in a significant dose-dependent increase in both Burst Forming Unit-Erythroid (BFU-E) and Colony Forming Unit-Erythroid (CFU-E) colony growth in both serum-containing and serum-free murine cultures in vitro. IL-10 acts at the later stages of erythroid cell proliferation and differentiation as the increase in colony number was greater in CFU-E than in BFU-E, and was similar when IL-10 was added to BFU-E cultures at the time of culture initiation as when its addition to culture was delayed for 7 days. Furthermore, no increase in BFU-E colony number was noted when IL-10, added at the time of culture initiation, was neutralized by the addition to culture of a monoclonal anti-IL-10 antibody up to 7 days later. The increases in BFU-E by IL-10 addition were not the result of prolongation of BFU-E colony lifespan, which was not significantly different in IL-10 treated and control cultures, respectively. Rather IL-10 stimulated the proliferation of erythroid clusters that were now large enough to be recognized as colonies. IL-10-induced stimulation of erythropoiesis appeared to be independent of its inhibitory effects on macrophage function, as stimulation of erythroid colony growth was similar in macrophage-containing and depleted cultures. Studies to determine if the IL-10 effect was direct or indirect yielded equivocal results. A limiting dilution assay suggested a direct effect. However, a log/log dose response curve with IL-10 did not pass through the origin suggesting an indirect effect. These studies indicate that IL-10 acts synergistically with EPO to significantly increase stimulation of erythroid differentiation and proliferation in vitro and may be involved in the regulation of normal erythropoiesis in vivo. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Stem cell factor can overcome inhibition of highly purified human burst-forming units-erythroid by interferon γ

Highly purified human blood burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E) were used to study the effects of interferon γ (IFNγ). IFNγ inhibited erythroid colony formation, cell proliferation, and differentiation of day 3 to day 6 mature BFU-E in a dose-dependent manner. The primitive BFU-E (day 1 and day 2 cells) and later day 7 cells were less affected. IFNγ dose-response experiments demonstrated that the number and size of erythroid colonies were reduced at a concentration of 500 U/ml with more complete inhibition at 1,000 U/ml. Inhibition of day 4 to day 6 erythroid progenitors was first noted by 72 h of incubation with IFNγ, and target cell growth and differentiation continued to decrease with further incubation. IFNγ also induced erythroblast apoptosis which was demonstrated by both nuclear condensation and fragmentation plus flow cytometry with in situ end-labelling. Because day 3 to day 6 cells need stem cell factor (SCF) for development in serum-free culture, the relationship of IFNγ inhibition to this growth factor was investigated. The reduction in the number of erythroid colonies by IFNγ was reversed by SCF although the colony size was not completely re-established. In contrast, interleukin-3 did not have the capacity to overcome the inhibitory effects of IFNγ. Since IFNγ blood levels are elevated in some anemias of chronic disease, IFNγ may have a role in promoting this anemia and its inhibitory effect might be better overcome by SCF plus EP. However, the mechanism by which these growth factors overcome the inhibition of IFNγ, or vice versa, is unknown at the present time. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of five recombinant hematopoietic growth factors on enriched human erythroid progenitors in serum-replaced cultures

Erythroid progenitors from normal human marrow were purified by a two-step immune panning method permitting both the enrichment of erythroid progenitors (plating efficiency up to 10%) and the separation of CFU-E from BFU-E. The purified erythroid progenitors were grown in serum-replaced conditions; in some experiments at an average of one cell per well. Human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL3), erythroid potentiating activity (EPA), and human erythropoietin (Epo) either recombinant or homogenous native were tested for their effect on CFU-E growth. Epo was an absolute requirement for CFU-E growth and was sufficient to obtain colony formation at the unicellular level whereas GM-CSF and IL3 did not further increase the plating efficiency. EPA potentiated the effect of Epo on this progenitor only in experiments performed at unicellular level. Human recombinant GM-CSF, IL3, Interleukin 1 alpha (IL1 alpha), and Epo were subsequently tested for their ability to promote BFU-E growth. GM-CSF and IL3 supported the growth of erythroid bursts in the presence of Epo, even at the unicellular level. However, IL3 promoted a higher number of bursts than GM-CSF under all conditions tested. These two growth factors have no or very small additive effects when tested in combination. IL1 alpha added to Epo alone had no effect on the growth of BFU-E whereas it potentiated the combined action of IL3 and GM-CSF on the primitive BFU-E. In conclusion, this study confirms at the unicellular level and under serum-free conditions that erythroid progenitors are regulated by multipotential growth factors in early phases of erythropoiesis and become sensitive only to Epo in later phases of differentiation.     

Synergistic effects of purified recombinant human and murine B cell growth factor-1/IL-4 on colony formation in vitro by hematopoietic progenitor cells. Multiple actions

Purified recombinant human B cell growth factor-1/IL-4 was evaluated, alone and in combination, with purified preparations of recombinant human (rhu) CSF or erythropoietin (Epo) for effects on colony formation by human bone marrow CFU-GM progenitor cells (GM) and burst forming unit-E progenitor cells. rhu IL-4 synergized with rhu G-CSF to enhance granulocyte colony formation, but had no effect on CFU-GM colony formation stimulated by rhu GM-CSF, rhu IL-3, or rhu CSF-1. Rhu IL-4 synergized with Epo to enhance BFU-E colony formation equal to that of Epo plus either rhu IL-3, rhu GM-CSF, or rhu G-CSF. Removal of adherent cells and T lymphocytes did not influence the synergistic activities of rhu IL-4. Rmu IL-4, synergized with rhu G-CSF, but not with rmu GM-CSF, rmu IL-3, or natural mu CSF-1, to enhance CFU-GM (mainly granulocyte) colony numbers by a greater than 90% pure preparation of murine CFU-GM. Also, rhu IL-4 at low concentrations enhanced release of CSF and at higher concentrations the release also of suppressor molecules from human monocytes and PHA-stimulated human T lymphocytes. Use of specific CSF antibodies suggested that rhu IL-4 was enhancing the release of G-CSF and CSF-1 from monocytes and the release of GM-CSF and possibly G-CSF from PHA-stimulated T lymphocytes. Use of antibodies for TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or TNF-beta as well as measurement of TNF and IFN titers suggested that the suppressor molecule(s) released from monocytes were acting with TNF-alpha and those released from PHA-stimulated T lymphocytes were acting with IFN-gamma. These results implicate B cell growth factor-1/IL-4 as a synergistic activity for hematopoietic progenitors and suggest that the actions can be on both progenitor and accessory cells.     

IL-1α and TNFα act synergistically to stimulate production of myeloid colony-stimulating factors by cultured human bone marrow stromal cells and cloned stromal cell strains

Human bone marrow stromal cells repond to stimulation by the monokines IL-1 and TNF by producing colony-stimulating factors such as GM-CSF and G-CSF. In this study we show that IL-1α and TNFα act synergistically to stimulate GM-CSF and G-CSF production by cultured marrow stromal cells. We further show that IL-1α and TNFα synergistically stimulate production of GM-CSF and G-CSF by a clonal stroma-derived cell strain. Although IL-1 and TNF share many of the same biological activities, we show that IL-1α and TNFα have an unequal ability to induce myeloid-CSF production by both cultures, with IL-1α being the more potent inducer. We found that induction by IL-1α and TNFα was independent of cell proliferation. The effect of IL-1α and TNFα on production of the two myeloid-CSFs by the clonal cells was significantly greater than the unfractionated passaged stromal cultures, having the greater effect on G-CSF production. The clonally derived stromal cells constitutively produced colony-stimulating activity, in particular GM-CSF, at levels easily detected by ELISA. These findings show that, in addition to the overlapping and additive activities of IL-1α and TNFα, they can interact synergistically. Our findings further suggest that a small subpopulation of stroma cells may be the major producer of G-CSF in the marrow microenvironment during immune response. © 1994 wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Human embryonic hemopoiesis: control mechanisms underlying progenitor differentiation in vitro

In order to investigate differences in control mechanisms between embryonic and adult hemopoiesis, we have studied the sensitivity of human embryonic progenitors (5-8 weeks postconception) to either positive (erythropoietin (Ep), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1] or negative (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma] in vitro regulators of adult hemopoietic differentiation. Growth stimulators were analyzed under serum-deprived conditions whereas growth inhibitors were investigated in serum-supplemented culture. Formation of granulocyte-macrophage colonies from embryonic progenitors was induced by GM-CSF but inhibited by TNF and IFN-gamma. Early erythroid progenitors resemble adult erythroid burst-forming cells (BFU-E) in their sensitivity to Ep and TNF but differ in their lack of response to GM-CSF or other adult sources of burst-promoting activity, and absence of inhibition by IFN-gamma. IGF-1 promoted erythroid burst formation in the absence of insulin, but did not have Ep-like activity. These data indicate that embryonic and adult erythroid progenitors differ at least in terms of in vitro sensitivity to GM-CSF and IFN-gamma and suggest that different cellular response to control signals may underlie the differences observed in vivo between embryonic and adult hemopoiesis.     

Protein kinase R as mediator of the effects of interferon (IFN) gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha on normal and dysplastic hematopoiesis

IFNγ and TNFα are potent inhibitors of hematopoiesis and have been implicated in the pathophysiology of bone marrow failure and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We examined the role of protein kinase R (PKR) in the generation of the inhibitory effects of these myelosuppressive cytokines on hematopoiesis. Our data demonstrate that PKR is rapidly phosphorylated/activated in response to engagement of IFNγ or TNFα receptors in normal human hematopoietic progenitors. Such engagement of PKR is important for the suppressive effects of these cytokines on normal hematopoiesis. Pharmacological targeting of PKR using a specific inhibitor or siRNA-mediated PKR knockdown results in partial reversal of the suppressive effects of IFNγ and TNFα on normal human CD34+-derived myeloid (colony-forming unit-granulocyte-monocytic) and erythroid (burst-forming unit-erythroid) progenitors. Importantly, inhibition of PKR activity or expression increases hematopoietic colony formation from human MDS progenitors, suggesting that drugs that target PKR may provide a novel approach for the treatment of MDS and marrow failure syndromes. Altogether, our data establish that beyond its key role in the induction of IFN-antiviral responses, PKR plays important roles in signaling for IFNγ and other myelosuppressive cytokine receptors as a common mediator of signals for hematopoietic suppression.     

Serum-Dependent Enhancement of Coxsackievirus B4-Induced Production of IFNα, IL-6 and TNFα by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Only a few reports have been published on the interactions between Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) but have not been extensively documented. Human serum containing non-neutralizing anti-CVB4 antibodies increased CVB4-induced synthesis of IFNα by PBMC. In this study, we determined if CVB4 and human serum have the ability to activate inflammatory cytokines in addition to IFNα in PBMC cultures. PBMC from healthy donors were inoculated with infectious, inactivated CVB4 or with CVB4 incubated with dilutions of human serum or polyvalent IgG with anti-CVB4 activity. Levels of IFNα, TNFα, IL-6, IL-12, IFNγ and IL-10 in the cell-free supernatants of PBMC cultures were measured using ELISA. Infection was assessed by real-time PCR. PBMC inoculated with CVB4 produced inflammatory cytokines but not IFNα. When CVB4 was incubated with serum or IgG, IFNα was detected in the culture supernatants, and high concentrations of TNFα and IL-6 were measured. The concentrations of TNFα and IL-6 were not reduced in cultures inoculated with inactivated CVB4, whereas the IgG-dependent enhancement of IFNα, IL-6 and TNFα production with inactivated virus was suppressed. The potentiation of IFNα production was associated with a high intracellular viral load. Infectious and non-infectious CVB4 can induce the production of inflammatory cytokines but not IFNα by PBMC. High levels of IFNα, in addition to TNFα and IL-6, in culture supernatants were obtained when infectious CVB4 was combined with immune serum or IgG, and they were associated with high amounts of intracellular viral RNA.     

Detailed analysis of inflammatory and neuromodulatory cytokine secretion from human NT2 astrocytes using multiplex bead array

Astrocytes are a very important cell type in the brain fulfilling roles in both neuroimmunology and neurotransmission. We have conducted the most comprehensive analysis of secreted cytokines conducted to date (astrocytes of any source) to determine whether astrocytes derived from the human Ntera2 (NT2) cell-line are a good model of human primary astrocytes. We have compared the secretion of cytokines from NT2 astrocytes with those produced in astrocyte enriched human brain cultures and additional cytokines implicated in brain injury or known to be expressed in the human brain. The concentration of cytokines was measured in astrocyte conditioned media using multiplex bead array (MBA), where 18 cytokines were measured simultaneously. Resting NT2 astrocytes produced low levels (～1-30 pg/ml) of MIP1α, IL-6 and GM-CSF and higher levels of MCP-1, IP-10 and IL-8 (1-11 ng/ml) under non-inflammatory conditions. All of these in addition to IL-1β, TNFα, and IL-13, were increased by pro-inflammatory activation (TNFα or IL-1β stimulation). In contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, LTα, and IFNγ were not detected in astrocyte conditioned media under any of the culture conditions tested. NT2 astrocytes were unresponsive to IL-2 and the adenyl cyclase agonist, forskolin. Interestingly, IFNγ stimulation selectively increased IP-10 secretion only. As astrocytes stimulated with IL-1β or TNFα produced several chemokines in the ng/ml range, we next assessed the chemoattractant properties of these cells. Conditioned media from TNFα-stimulated astrocytes significantly chemoattracted leukocytes from human blood. This study provides the most comprehensive analysis of cytokine production by human astrocytes thus far, and shows that NT2 astrocytes are highly responsive to pro-inflammatory mediators including TNFα and IL-1β, producing cytokines and chemokines capable of attracting leukocytes from human blood. We conclude that in the absence of adult human primary astrocytes that NT2-astrocytes may provide a valuable alternative to study the immunological behaviour of human astrocytes.     

Direct effects of IL-4 on the in vitro differentiation and proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of recombinant human interleukin 4 (IL-4) on the differentiation and proliferation in vitro of human granulocyte/macrophage (GM) and erythroid progenitors. IL-4 was added to either fetal bovine serum (FBS)-supplemented or to FBS-deprived cultures of unfractionated human marrow cells or marrow cells depleted of adherent and/or T cells. Paradoxical effects similar to those reported in the murine system were detected in these experiments. In FBS-supplemented cultures, IL-4, which had no effect on the growth or erythroid bursts (from burst-forming cells; BFU-E) detected in the presence of Epo alone, decreased by 46% the number of erythroid bursts detected in the presence of Epo and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated leukocyte-conditioned medium (PHA-LCM). In contrast, in FBS-deprived cultures, IL-4 increased by 30-700% the number of erythroid bursts in cultures containing Epo alone or containing Epo, IL-3, and GM-CSF. The stimulatory effect of IL-4 on erythroid burst growth under FBS-deprived conditions was particularly evident when adherent cells were removed. Under the conditions investigated, IL-4 had little effect on the growth of GM colonies. In FBS-deprived suspension cultures of nonadherent, T-cell-depleted marrow cells, IL-4 maintained both the number of BFU-E and CFU-GM for at least 8 days. In these cultures, IL-4 antagonized the capacity of IL-3 to increase the number of BFU-E but IL-4 and IL-3 acted together to maintain the number of CFU-GM. To determine if IL-4 acted directly or indirectly, its effects on the growth of factor-dependent subclones of the murine progenitor cell line 32D were analyzed. Three subclones were studied: the original IL-3-dependent clone 32D cl.3, the Epo-dependent erythroid clone 32D Epo-1, and the G-CSF-dependent myeloid clone 32D G-1. IL-4 alone failed to induce colony growth from these cell lines. However, IL-4 inhibited by 25% the number of colonies formed by 32D cl.3 in the presence of IL-3 while increasing by 25% and 25-50% the number of colonies formed by 32D Epo-1 and 32D G-1 in the presence of Epo or G-CSF, respectively. These results indicate that human IL-4, as its murine counterpart, is a multilineage growth factor with paradoxical effects which are mediated by the direct action of IL-4 on progenitor cells.     

SYNERGISTIC REGULATORY EFFECTS OF TNFα, IL-1αAND IFNα ON THE GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION OF DAUDI LYMPHOMA CELLS

The regulatory effects of the combined treatment of tumour necrosis factorα (TNFα), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interferonα(IFNα) on the growth and differentiation of Daudi lymphoma cells were investigated. By means of anti-BrdU monoclonal antibodies and [³H-thymidine] incorporation a reduced proliferation rate was shown both through a combi-nation of TNFα with either IL-1α or IFNα and, above all, through simultaneous treatment with the three cytokines. In parallel, the degree of differentiation was evaluated via morphological criteria and detection of Fc receptors (FcR) and appeared higher after treatment with the three cytokines. Our results provide evidence of the increased sensitivity of this cell line to this combined treatment supporting the existence of a synergistic interaction in inducing the antiproliferative and differentiative effects.     

Inflammation inhibits the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in liver and adipose tissue

Inhibition of adipocyte triglyceride biosynthesis is required for fatty acid mobilization during inflammation. Triglyceride biosynthesis requires glycerol 3-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) plays a key role. We demonstrate that LPS, zymosan, and TNF-α decrease PEPCK in liver and fat. Turpentine decreases PEPCK in liver, but not in fat. The LPS-induced decrease in PEPCK does not occur in TLR4 deficient animals, indicating that this receptor is required. The LPS-induced decrease in hepatic PEPCK does not occur in TNF receptor/IL-1 receptor knockout mice, but occurs in fat, indicating that TNF-α/IL-1 is essential for the decrease in liver but not fat. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IFNγ inhibit PEPCK indicating that there are multiple pathways by which PEPCK is decreased in adipocytes. The binding of PPARγ and RXRα to the PPARγ response element in the PEPCK promoter is markedly decreased in adipose tissue nuclear extracts from LPS treated animals. Lipopolysaccharide and zymosan reduce PPARγ and RXRα expression in fat, suggesting that a decrease in PPARγ and RXRα accounts for the decrease in PEPCK. Thus, there are multiple cytokine pathways by which inflammation inhibits PEPCK expression in adipose tissue which could contribute to the increased mobilization of fatty acids during inflammation.     

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ on the growth of a human salivary gland cell line

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a product of activated T-lymphocytes, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a product of both lymphocytes and macrophages. These cell types are often present at sites of tissue damage secondary to chronic infection or autoimmune disease. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of TNF-α and IFN-γ on a human submandibular gland epithelial cell line (HSG). IFN-γ caused a concentration-dependent decrease in HSG cell growth (～70% in 6 days). Conversely, TNF-α alone had little effect on the growth of these cells. When these cytokines were added in combination (20 units/ml TNF-α and 1,000 units/ml of IFN-γ), there was a synergistic antiproliferative effect; no apparent cell growth was observed. The cytokine-induced antiproliferative effect was reversible. After the apparent cessation of cell growth for 3–6 days, removal of the cytokines permitted complete growth recovery. Further, cells that recovered and exhibited growth patterns that were similar to control cells remained susceptible to the antiproliferative effects of the cytokines. Flow cytometry revealed that the percentage of cells in G0/G1 with the combination of cytokines was significantly increased by 24 h. The antiproliferative effect of IFN-γ alone and that of IFN-γ and TNF-α in combination were blocked completely using an antibody to the IFN-γ receptor. A hypothesized mechanism of tissue damage in autoimmune inflammatory disorders is via up-regulation of cell surface markers such as intercellular adhesion molecule type I (ICAM-1) and histocompatibility antigen HLA-DR which can exacerbate the inflammatory process. Treatment of HSG cells with IFN-γ, with or without TNF-α, resulted in increased levels of ICAM-1 and the acquisition of HLA-DR expression. These aggregate data suggest that IFN-γ alone can regulate the expression of cell surface markers involved in the inflammatory process as well as cause a potent yet reversible inhibition of HSG cell growth that is modulated by the presence of TNF-α. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

The suppressive influences of human tumor necrosis factors on bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells from normal donors and patients with leukemia: synergism of tumor necrosis factor and interferon-gamma

The influences of human tumor necrosis factor (TNF) (LuKII), recombinant human TNF-alpha, natural human interferon-gamma (HuIFN-gamma), recombinant HuIFN-gamma, and natural HuIFN-alpha were evaluated alone or in combination for their effects in vitro on colony formation by human bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E), and multipotential (CFU-GEMM) progenitor cells incubated at 5% CO2 in lowered (5%) O2 tension. TNF (LuKII) and recombinant TNF-alpha caused a similar dose-dependent inhibition of colony formation from CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEMM. Day 7 CFU-GM colonies were more sensitive than both day 14 CFU-GM colonies and day 7 CFU-GM clusters to inhibition by TNF. BFU-E colonies and CFU-GEMM colonies were least sensitive to inhibition with TNF. The suppressive effects of TNF (LuKII) and recombinant TNF-alpha were inactivated respectively with hetero-anti-human TNF (LuKII) and monoclonal anti-recombinant human TNF-alpha. The hetero-anti-TNF (LuKII) did not inactivate the suppressive effects of TNF-alpha and the monoclonal anti-recombinant TNF-alpha did not inactivate TNF (LuKII). The suppressive effects of TNF did not appear to be mediated via endogenous T lymphocytes and/or monocytes in the bone marrow preparation, and a pulse exposure of marrow cells with TNF for 60 min resulted in maximal or near maximal inhibition when compared with cells left with TNF for the full culture incubation period. A degree of species specificity was noted in that human TNF were more active against human marrow CFU-GM colonies than against mouse marrow CFU-GM colonies. Samples of bone marrow from patients with non-remission myeloid leukemia were set up in the CFU-GM assay and formed the characteristic abnormal growth pattern of large numbers of small sized clusters. These cluster-forming cells were more sensitive to inhibition by TNF than were the CFU-GM colonies and clusters grown from the bone marrow of normal donors. The sensitivity to TNF of colony formation by CFU-GM of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia in partial or complete remission was comparable with that of normal donors. When combinations of TNF and HuIFN were evaluated together, it was noted that TNF (LuKII) or recombinant TNF synergized with natural or recombinant HuIFN-gamma, but not with HuIFN-alpha, to suppress colony formation of CFU-GM, BFU-E, and CFU-GEMM from bone marrow of normal donors at concentrations that had no suppressive effects when molecules were used alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)