FDC-P1 myeloid cells engineered to express fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 proliferate and differentiate in the presence of fibroblast growth factor and heparin.

Full-length murine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 1 (FGFR-1L) cDNA was introduced into the FDC-P1 mouse myeloid progenitor cell line, which lacks FGF receptors and depends on interleukin 3 (IL-3) or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for its proliferation and survival. The expression of the FGFR-1L gene in FDC-P1 cells allowed these cells to grow in the presence of FGF and heparin. The resulting cell line, designated FD FGFR-1L.A, exhibited a more mature myeloid phenotype than did the parental FD FGFR-1L cells or uninfected FDC-P1 cells. They formed mainly dispersed colonies in soft-agar cultures when grown in the presence of FGF and heparin, suggestive of myeloid differentiation. The cells can be switched between growth on FGF/heparin and IL-3. Northern blot analysis and cytochemical staining demonstrated that FD FGFR-1L.A cells expressed myeloperoxidase mRNA and protein, biochemical markers specifically expressed during differentiation from the promyelocytic to the granulocytic stages, whereas the parental FD FGFR-1L cells and FDC-P1 cells failed to express this marker. These results indicate that the expression of FGFR-1L by FDC-P1 cells transmitted signals for growth in the presence of FGF and heparin and generated an additional signal for early myeloid differentiation but failed to commit FD FGFR-1L.A cells to terminal differentiation. This in vitro culture system can be used for molecular analysis of the regulation of cellular growth and differentiation mediated by the FGFs and their receptors.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the proliferation of human megakaryocyte progenitor cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a multifunctional growth factor produced by bone marrow stromal cells, is known to be a potent modulator of hematopoiesis. Because bFGF is present in both human megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets, we have hypothesized that this growth factor might affect human megakaryocytopoiesis. To test this hypothesis, either low density bone marrow (BM) cells (LDBM), a human BM subpopulation (CD34+ DR+) enriched for the colony-forming unit megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) or a BM subpopulation (CD34+ DR-) enriched for the more primitive burst-forming unit megakaryocyte (BFU-MK) were assayed in the presence of this growth factor. The effect of bFGF on MK colony formation differed according to the cell population assayed. bFGF alone had on MK colony-stimulating activity (MK-CSA) when either CD34+ DR+ or CD34+ DR- BM cells were cloned, but exhibited MK-CSA equivalent to that of interleukin-3 (IL-3) when LDBM cells were used as the target cell population. The MK-CSA of bFGF was inhibited by the addition of neutralizing antisera to either IL-3 and/or granulocyte- macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) but not IL-6. The addition of excess amounts of either IL-3 or GM-CSF to cultures containing bFGF plus anti-IL-3 or anti-GM-CSF reversed the inhibition by the corresponding antisera. The addition of bFGF and IL-3 to assays containing CD34+ DR+ or CD34+ DR- cells increased the size of both CFU- MK- and BFU-MK-derived colonies, respectively, when compared with assays containing IL-3 alone. This increase in MK colony size mediated by bFGF was not affected by addition of either an anti-GM-CSF or anti- IL-6 neutralizing antisera. When LDBM cells were assayed, bFGF alone increased CFU-MK-derived colony size when compared with control values. However, this potentiation of MK colony size by bFGF could be reversed by the addition of either anti-IL-3 or anti-GM-CSF but not anti-IL-6 antisera. In addition, the effects of bFGF and IL-3 on the size of MK colonies cloned from LDBM were not additive. These results suggest that bFGF affects human megakaryocytopoiesis by directly promoting MK progenitor cell proliferation and stimulating BM accessory cells to release growth factor(s) with MK-CSA, such as IL-3 and GM-CSF. We conclude that bFGF, likely produced by cellular components of the BM microenvironment, plays an important role in the control of human megakaryocytopoiesis.     

Characteristics of rat megakaryocyte colonies and their progenitors in agar culture

The characteristics of megakaryocyte colonies that develop from megakaryocyte progenitors of rat bone marrow stimulated by rat spleen-conditioned medium (SCM) in agar culture were investigated. Colony frequency was optimal on day 7 and increased relative to both the number of cells plated and the concentration of SCM used. Plating efficiencies averaged 72 +/- 16 megakaryocyte colonies/10(5) cells with 0.1 ml SCM/culture. Colonies were categorized as small cell and big cell. Small-cell colonies had a greater proliferative potential, with a mean of 25 cells/colony. Big-cell colonies averaged 15 cells/colony. The ratio of big-cell to small-cell colonies was 0.69 +/- 0.29. Granulocyte-macrophage colonies, which were also stimulated by SCM, accounted for 70% +/- 15% of the total colonies in the cultures. Cytocidal experiments with tritiated thymidine reduced megakaryocyte colony formation by 45% and granulocyte-macrophage colony formation by 21%. The properties of rat, mouse, and human megakaryocyte progenitors as assayed in vitro are compared.     

Structural specificity of heparin binding in the fibroblast growth factor family of proteins

Heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) mediate a wide variety of complex biological processes by specifically binding proteins and modulating their biological activity. One of the best studied model systems for protein-HSGAG interactions is the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of molecules, and recent observations have demonstrated that the specificity of a given FGF ligand binding to its cognate receptor (FGFR) is mediated by distinct tissue-specific HSGAG sequences. Although it has been known that sulfate and carboxylate groups in the HSGAG chain play a key role by interacting with basic residues on the proteins, there is little understanding of how these ionic interactions provide the necessary specificity for protein binding. In this study, using all of the available crystal structures of different FGFs and FGF-HSGAG complexes, we show that in addition to the ionic interactions, optimal van der Waals contact between the HSGAG oligosaccharide and the protein is also very important in influencing the specificity of FGF-HSGAG interactions. Although the overall helical structure is maintained in the FGF-bound HSGAG compared with unbound HSGAG, we observe distinct changes in the backbone torsion angles of the oligosaccharide chain induced upon protein binding. These changes result in local deviations in the helical axis that provide optimal ionic and van der Waals contact with the protein. A specific conformation and topological arrangement of the HSGAG-binding loops of FGF, on the other hand, impose structural constraints that induce the local deviations in the HSGAG structure, thereby enabling maximum contact between HSGAG and the protein.     

Small cell colonies appear in the primary culture of adult rat hepatocytes in the presence of nicotinamide and epidermal growth factor.

Colonies of small hepatocytes appeared after the culture of primary adult rat hepatocytes for 4 days in serum-free modified Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing 10 mmol/L nicotinamide and 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor. Each colony consisted of cells that had a single nucleus and a higher nucleus/cytoplasm ratio than surrounding hepatocytes, and immunocytochemically these cells were stained with albumin and transferrin. Ultrastructurally these cells had mitochondria, peroxisomes and desmosomes, indicating that they were derived from hepatocytes. When 6 x 10(5) cells were plated on 35-mm dishes, about 5.5 colonies/mm2 were observed. This result suggested that about 1.5% of adult rat hepatocytes has the potential for multiple replications and of forming a focal colony. These cell populations had higher proliferative activities than surrounding hepatocytes. DNA synthetic activity could not be inhibited by 2% dimethyl sulfoxide. Flow cytometric analysis showed that both 2N and 4N nuclei synthesized their DNA until day 4 but that the number of 2N nuclei rapidly increased at day 5. This result correlated with the observation of the appearance of small cell populations indicating that the cells of these focal colonies were predominantly diploid.     

An improved plasma culture system for the production of megakaryocyte colonies in vitro.

A modified culture system has been developed to grow and quantitate megakaryocyte colonies from mouse bone marrow more efficiently than described in other reports. Using this method, it was shown that 30% of CFU-M in normal marrow cells and 70 to 90% of CFU-M in regenerating marrow cells were killed by high specific activity 3H-TdR in vitro. These results indicate that CFU-M are proliferating even in normal adult hemopoietic tissue, but that the proportion of cells that are proliferating is greater in regenerating marrow than in normal intact mice.     

Enhanced growth of myelodysplastic colonies in hypoxic conditions

OBJECTIVE: To determine the response of bone marrow progenitor cells from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to culture in physiologic oxygen tension. METHODS: Methylcellulose progenitor assays using both unfractionated bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) and purified CD34(+) progenitors were performed in atmospheric oxygen (18.6% O(2)) or one of two levels of hypoxia (1% and 3% O(2)). Assays were performed using normal donor marrow, MDS patient marrow, acute myelogenous leukemia marrow or peripheral blood blasts, chronic phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) marrow MNCs, and blast crisis CML peripheral blood. RESULTS: The majority of MDS samples showed decreased colony-forming units (CFU) in 18.6% O(2) compared to normal controls, as expected. However, in either 1% or 3% O(2), 9 of 13 MDS samples demonstrated augmentation of CFUs beyond that observed in normal controls, with 6 of 13 demonstrating a greater than ninefold augmentation. This effect is cell autonomous, as it persisted after purification of CD34(+) progenitor cells. Additionally, the augmented response to physiologic oxygen tension is specific to MDS, as it was not observed in either acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia samples. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the reported decrease in MDS CFUs reflects greater sensitivity of MDS progenitors or their progeny to the nonphysiologic oxygen tensions routinely used in vitro, rather than a true decrease in progenitor frequency. Importantly, these experiments for the first time describe an experimental system that can be used to study the growth of primary cells from patients with MDS.     

Recombinant acidic human fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) stimulates murine megakaryocyte colony formation in vitro.

Recombinant acidic human fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) significantly stimulated the formation of megakaryocyte colonies and the size of MK colonies as well as individual MKs in vitro in mice. When aFGF was combined with recombinant mouse interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) at their optimal doses, a synergistic action was found between aFGF and IL-3. The activity of aFGF could be completely abrogated by a monoclonal antimouse IL-6 antibody which specifically neutralized the action of mouse IL-6 but not human IL-6. These data indicate that aFGF provides positive growth signals of megakaryocyte progenitor cells, which can give rise to a synergistic action in the presence of IL-3 and which can be abrogated by the antimouse IL-6 antibody.     

Transforming growth factor beta inhibits megakaryocyte growth and endomitosis.

Using a rat bone marrow culture system, the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) on megakaryocyte growth and endoreduplication has been studied. Purified human platelet TGF beta 1 inhibited the number of megakaryocytes that appeared in culture at a half-maximal concentration of 0.66 +/- 0.21 ng/mL and inhibited megakaryocyte endoreduplication at a half-maximal concentration of 0.14 +/- 0.08 ng/mL. Under identical conditions, growth of erythroid precursors was half-maximally inhibited at a concentration of 0.125 ng/mL while myeloid growth was not inhibited at concentrations of TGF beta 1 up to 25 ng/mL. These profound inhibitory effects on megakaryocyte growth and endomitosis suggested that TGF beta might play a role in megakaryocytopoiesis. Therefore, we explored the effect of TGF beta in three different experimental situations by using a neutralizing antibody to TGF beta: (1) Serum but not plasma was found to inhibit the number and ploidy of megakaryocytes that grew in vitro. This inhibitory activity was completely neutralized by antibody to TGF beta or on treatment with dithiothreitol. (2) Plasma from thrombocytotic rats was observed to decrease megakaryocyte ploidy on culture but this effect was not prevented by the addition of antibody to TGF beta. (3) Plasma from thrombocytopenic but not normal rats increased megakaryocyte ploidy on culture. Addition of antibody to TGF beta did not alter these results. Therefore, TGF beta is a potent inhibitor of the number and ploidy of megakaryocytes and accounts for all the inhibition seen when megakaryocytes are cultured in serum. However, the differences in effect on megakaryocyte growth that we observe between normal, thrombocytopenic, and thrombocytotic plasmas are not due to variations in the amount of TGF beta. Furthermore, our results show that release of TGF beta from megakaryocytes during culture does not act as an autocrine regulator of megakaryocyte ploidy in vitro.     

Growth of mouse megakaryocyte colonies in vitro.

Mouse bone marrow and spleen cells formed pure or mixed colonies of up to 80 megakaryocytes in agar cultures after stimulation by medium conditioned by activated mouse lymphoid cells. Megakaryocytes were identified on the basis of their morphology, polyploid mitoses and DNA content, and high cytoplasmic content of acetylcholinesterase. Megakaryocyte colony-forming cells were relatively small with a peak sedimentation velocity of 4.2 mm/hr. Spleen, lymph node, and thymus cells produced the factor stimulating megakaryocyte proliferation after culture in medium containing 2-mercaptoethanol, with or without added mitogens or allogeneic spleen cells. Peak activity in conditioning medium was associated with the small lymphocyte fractions in mouse spleen.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor supports the survival of cerebral cortical neurons in primary culture.

Bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen isolated from bovine pituitary glands and brain. The addition of homogeneous bFGF to primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical neurons markedly enhances cell survival and elaboration of neurites. These effects are dose-dependent, with optimal stimulation occurring at a concentration of 500 pg/ml. Maintenance of survival and neurite outgrowth require the continuous presence of bFGF. Other growth factors, such as thrombin, platelet-derived growth factor, beta nerve growth factor, and interleukin 2, have no effect on neuronal survival or process formation. Although the cellular site(s) of bFGF synthesis has not yet been established, these results suggest that bFGF may function as a neurotrophic agent in the central nervous system.     

Measurement of ploidy distribution in megakaryocyte colonies obtained from culture: with studies of the effects of thrombocytopenia

Microdensitometric measurement of the DNA content of individual megakaryocytes was performed using megakaryocyte colonies obtained following culture, in soft agar, of hematopoietic cells from C57BL/6J mice. Two types of colonies were detected. After 7 days of culture, the big cell type contained 16 /+- 2.3 acetylcholinesterase (AChE) positive cells/colony, with a mean ploidy level of 16.8 /+- 0.8/cell and the ploidy distribution characteristic of recognizable megakaryocytes in bone marrow. The heterogeneous type contained 44 /+- 9.6 cells/colony (some of which were AChE negative), with a mean ploidy level of 6.8 /+- 0.7/cell. The ploidy distribution of heterogeneous colonies differed markedly from big cell colonies, with preponderance of 2N and 4N cells. Colony-forming cells, obtained 4-5 days after induction of acute thrombocytopenia, gave big cell colonies with a marked increase in DNA content. Mean ploidy level increased to 21.5 /%- 1.8/cell; the frequency of 32N cells increased from 17% to 30% and 64N cells from 0% to 6%. This is the pattern of change observed in bone marrow, in vivo, 24 to 48 hr after induction of acute thrombocytopenia. The number of cells/colony did not increase. In contrast, acute thrombocytopenia did not alter the ploidy of heterogeneous colonies. The different responses to the stimulus of acute thrombocytopenia suggest that there are at least two types of Meg-CFC. The delayed appearance of altered Meg-CFC that produced big cell colonies indicates that the pool of stem cells, from which committed megakaryocyte precursors are derived, may respond indirectly to the stimulus of platelet depletion.     

Ultrastructural analysis of murine megakaryocyte maturation in vitro: comparison of big-cell and heterogeneous megakaryocyte colonies

Two morphologically distinct types of murine megakaryocyte (MK) colonies are present after three to seven days in soft agar culture: (a) "big-cell" colonies composed of ten to 30 large, mature-appearing megakaryocytes and (b) "heterogeneous" colonies consisting of approximately 100 or more cells at various stages of differentiation. Cytochemical and immunocytochemical techniques were used to study MK maturation in colonies as well as normal mouse bone marrow. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a specific marker for murine platelets and MK, was found in the perinuclear cisterna, endoplasmic reticulum, and occasionally, Golgi cisternae of MK in three-day big-cell colonies and immature bone marrow MK. MK in seven-day big-cell colonies and mature bone marrow MK showed additional reaction sites in the demarcation membrane system and occasional granules. In seven-day heterogeneous colonies, small cells resembled immature bone marrow MK with respect to AChE localization, whereas large cells corresponded to mature bone marrow MK. With immunogold procedures at the ultrastructural level, polyclonal antibodies against human platelet membrane glycoprotein IIIa and antimouse platelet antiserum labeled bone marrow MK and all MK from colonies grown in soft agar cultures for three to seven days. Granulocytes and macrophages in both bone marrow and soft agar cultures were negative for AChE and these immunocytochemical markers. These data indicate that the pattern of expression of AChE during maturation of MK is similar in vivo and in vitro and demonstrate, when using this marker at the fine-structural level, that a greater range of MK maturational stages is present in heterogeneous colonies than is observed in MK in big-cell colonies. Furthermore, we have confirmed that small cells in heterogeneous colonies are MK and that these colonies are composed solely of MK and their precursors.     

Purification and biologic characterization of plasma-derived megakaryocyte growth and development factor

The isolation and cloning of the ligand for the cytokine receptor, Mpl, have been recently described. In this report we present details of the purification of this novel cytokine (megakaryocyte growth and development factor [MGDF]) from aplastic canine plasma. Two forms of canine MGDF, with apparent molecular weights of 25 kD and 31 kD and sharing a common N-terminal amino acid sequence, were isolated. The sole contaminant detected in purified 25-kD or 31-kD MGDF was canine Ig. Canine MGDF is characterized as a human megakaryocyte colony- stimulating factor that acts synergistically with human recombinant stem cell factor but not interleukin-3. MGDF also appears to be physiologically regulated in response to platelet demand. In canine and murine models, serum levels of MGDF activity peak during the thrombocytopenic periods after irradiation, 5-fluorouracil, or antiplatelet antisera injections. These data indicate that the megakaryocyte-stimulating activity that accumulates in plasma in response to platelet losses is a novel cytokine that functions through an interaction with the Mpl cytokine receptor.     

Preferential self-association of basic fibroblast growth factor is stabilized by heparin during receptor dimerization and activation.

Central to signaling by fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) is the oligomeric interaction of the growth factor and its high-affinity cell surface receptor, which is mediated by heparin-like polysaccharides. It has been proposed that the binding of heparin-like polysaccharides to FGF induces a conformational change in FGF, resulting in the formation of FGF dimers or oligomers, and this biologically active form is 'presented' to the FGF receptor for signal transduction. In this study, we show that monomeric basic FGF (FGF-2) preferentially self-associates and forms FGF-2 dimers and higher-order oligomers. As a consequence, FGF-2 monomers are oriented for binding to heparin-like polysaccharides. We also show that heparin-like polysaccharides can readily bind to self-associated FGF-2 without causing a conformational change in FGF-2 or disrupting the FGF-2 self-association, but that the bound polysaccharides only additionally stabilize the FGF-2 self-association. The preferential self-association corresponds to FGF-2 translations along two of the unit cell axes of the FGF-2 crystal structures. These two axes represent the two possible heparin binding directions, whereas the receptor binding sites are oriented along the third axis. Thus, we propose that preferential FGF-2 self-association, further stabilized by heparin, like "beads on a string," mediates FGF-2-induced receptor dimerization and activation. The observed FGF-2 self-association, modulated by heparin, not only provides a mechanism of growth factor activation but also represents a regulatory mechanism governing FGF-2 biological activity.     

Interaction of factor XIa and antithrombin in the presence and absence of heparin

We have studied the interaction between purified human factor XIa and antithrombin in the presence and absence of well-characterized preparations of heparin. The concentrations of hemostatic enzyme, protease inhibitor, and mucopolysaccharide were 5.76 X 10(-8) mol/L, 5.76 X 10(6) mol/L, and either 5.88 X 10(6) mol/L or 0, respectively. Kinetic investigation of this process using a tritiated factor IX substrate demonstrated that the pseudo first-order rate constants of this reaction in the presence and absence of heparin are approximately 1.0 min-1 and approximately 0.025 min-1, respectively. Thus, the rate of hemostatic enzyme-protease inhibitor complex formation is accelerated by about 40-fold in the presence of saturating levels of the mucopolysaccharide. These results were confirmed in a qualitative manner by directly monitoring the generation of factor XIa-antithrombin interaction product with sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis using an antibody population specific for the protease inhibitor.     

Combined treatment with sustained-release basic fibroblast growth factor and heparin enhances neovascularization in hypercholesterolemic mouse hindlimb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Whether the combined treatment with sustained-release basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and heparin enhances neovascularization in hypercholesterolemic mouse hindlimb ischemia was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Wild-type C57BL/6 and low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice were assigned to 1 of the following 4 experimental groups and treated for 2 weeks after femoral artery extraction: group N, no treatment; group H, daily subcutaneous injection of heparin calcium; group F, single intramuscular injection of the sustained-release bFGF microspheres; and group FH, combined treatment with sustained-release bFGF and heparin. Among the wild-type mice at 4 weeks after femoral artery extraction, the laser Doppler perfusion image index (LDPII) in groups H, F, and FH was significantly higher than that in group N. The vascular density in group FH was the highest among the 4 groups. The maturation index in the 3 treated groups was significantly higher than that in group N. Among the hypercholesterolemic mice, the LDPII in group FH was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups. The vascular density and maturation index in group FH were the highest among the 4 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Combined treatment with sustained-release bFGF and heparin enhanced neovascularization in the hypercholesterolemic hindlimb ischemia model.     

The interaction of heparin and basic fibroblast growth factor on collagen synthesis in 21-day fetal rat calvariae.

We examined the interactions of the glycosaminoglycan, heparin, and recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on collagen synthesis in 21-day fetal rat calvariae. In calvariae treated for 96 h, heparin (25 micrograms/ml) and bFGF (10(-9) M) inhibited collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) labeling by 52 and 60% of control, respectively, and the combination further inhibited CDP labeling. Inhibition of CDP labeling by heparin (25 micrograms/ml) or bFGF (10(-9), 10(-8) M) was similar in the presence or absence of aphidicolin (30 microM) an inhibitor of cell replication. Heparin selectively inhibited CDP labeling in the osteoblast rich central bone but bFGF alone or in combination with heparin inhibited CDP labeling both in the periosteum and central bone. Heparin and bFGF alone decreased steady state levels of alpha 1(I)procollagen messenger RNA (mRNA) at 24 h and the combination further decreased mRNA levels. A high concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1, 3 x 10(-8) M) reversed the inhibitory effect of heparin on DNA synthesis and CDP labeling. In contrast, IGF-1 could not reverse the inhibitory effects of bFGF on CDP labeling but enhanced the stimulatory effects of bFGF on thymidine incorporation into DNA. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of heparin and bFGF on CDP are independent of effects on cell replication. We further conclude that both heparin and bFGF inhibit collagen synthesis at a pretranslational site since they decreased procollagen mRNA levels in osteoblasts. However, the inhibition of collagen synthesis by heparin and bFGF appears to involve divergent pathways since exogenous IGF-1 could overcome the effect of heparin but not bFGF on collagen synthesis.