Production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor by acute myelomonocytic leukemia cells

Two patients with acute myelomonocytic leukemia (AMMoL) were tested to determine whether or not their cells produced granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Using the NFS-60 bioassay method, relatively high levels of G-CSF were demonstrated in the serum pre-treated with acid-dialysis and in the media conditioned by leukemia cells. Northern blot analysis for G-CSF using cDNA as a probe revealed that G-CSF production was increased at the mRNA level in the cells. No rearrangement at the DNA level, however, was observed by genomic Southern analysis. Our data indicate that the leukemic cells in AMMoL probably have the capacity to synthesize and secrete G-CSF.