Inhibition of GM-CSF Production by Recombinant Human Interleukin-4: Negative Regulator of Hematopoiesis

Abstract

Interleukin-4 (IL-4), also known as B-cell stimulatory factor-I (BSF-I), was initially identified as a T-cell product that mediates anti-IgM-induced DNA synthesis in B-lymphocytes. Various aspects of this highly pleiotropic cytokine have been described. including those on hematopoietic progenitor cells. However, the role of IL-4 in the hematopietic system has been given different interpretations. Normal human hematopoietic progenitor cells do not proliferate under control of the autocrine system and cytokines are needed for proliferation and differentiation. However, IL-4 in itself does not support proliferation of these cells and if this is the case, the effects of IL-4 on hematopoietic progenitor cells still need to be investigated from the point of view of synergism with other cytokines as well as the control of accessory cells in the production of cytokines. We describe here some properties of IL-4 in association with cytokine production. with special emphasis on granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) production.

Key Words:

• IL-4
• hematopoiesis
• GM-CSF production