Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
11:29
Development of an Insert Co-culture System of Two Cellular Types in the Absence of Cell-Cell Contact
Published on: July 17, 2016
Interleukin-6 is a survival factor for committed myeloid progenitor cells
J M Kerst1, I C Slaper-Cortenbach, C E van der Schoot
1Central Laboratory of the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Experimental Hematology
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) enhances the survival of human hematopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM) but does not induce their proliferation. This IL-6 survival effect is specific to CD45RO- cells and is more pronounced under serum-poor conditions.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are crucial for blood cell production.
- Granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (CFU-GM) are key progenitors in hematopoiesis.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine with diverse roles in immunity and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of IL-6 on the proliferation and survival of human hematopoietic progenitors (CFU-GM).
- To determine if IL-6 influences the proliferative capacity of CFU-GM when combined with other growth factors.
Main Methods:
- Purification of CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitors.
- Culture of progenitors with recombinant human IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte (G)-CSF.
- Assessment of cell proliferation and survival using colony-forming assays.
- Analysis of CD45RO+ and CD45RO- subpopulations.
Main Results:
- IL-6 alone did not induce proliferation of CD34+ progenitors.
- IL-6 did not affect proliferation induced by GM-CSF or G-CSF.
- IL-6 significantly enhanced CFU-GM survival, particularly under serum-poor conditions.
- The survival effect was restricted to the CD45RO- subset of CD34+ cells.
Conclusions:
- IL-6 acts as a survival factor for CFU-GM.
- IL-6's role in hematopoiesis involves promoting progenitor survival rather than proliferation.
- The CD45RO- subset is the primary target for IL-6's survival-promoting effects on CFU-GM.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Lineage Commitment
Commitment is the process whereby stem cells:
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...