Postburn serum inhibits in vitro production of colony-stimulating factor by mononuclear peripheral blood cells

The effects of postburn serum (PBS) on the production of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) was evaluated in 13 burned patients by adding PBS to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) and assaying the MNC-conditioned media for CSF content. PBS inhibited CSF production by at least 50%. PBS from non-survivors significantly inhibited CSF production more than PBS from survivors. The addition of lithium chloride restored production of CSF in the presence of day 15 PBS but could not overcome the inhibitory effects of day 1 or day 8 PBS. The nature of the inhibitor(s) is uncertain, but correction of the CSF production defect by lithium chloride later in the course of thermal injury suggests that the defect may be reversible.