Contact- and growth factor-dependent survival in a canine marrow- derived
stromal cell line
R Huss, CA Hoy and HJ Deeg
Transplantation Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center,
Seattle, WA 98104-2092, USA.
Cell-cell interactions and the presence of growth factors such as stem cell
factor (SCF; or c-kit ligand) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) are involved in the
proliferation and differentiation of the canine marrow-derived stromal cell
line DO64. In the presence of SCF, stromal cells are induced to
differentiate, but not to proliferate. In contrast, in the presence of
IL-6, stromal cells are induced to proliferate rather than to differentiate
in culture. Both SCF and IL-6 are produced by the stromal cells themselves
and, thus, act as autocrine factors. In addition, DO64 cells also interact
physically with each other in culture when grown under optimal culture
conditions (70% to 90% cell confluence and in the presence of serum),
thereby supporting proliferation and maintaining viability. Under
conditions of lower cell density or low serum or growth factor
concentrations in culture, DO64 cells tend to aggregate and form clusters.
This increase in local cell concentration is associated with preservation
of viability, presumably because of the accumulation of autocrine factors.
If no signal, neither intercellular nor soluble, is provided, and DO64
cells are not able to reach a critical cell density or to produce
sufficient factors in an autocrine fashion, the cells cease to proliferate
and eventually die.
Volume 85,
Issue 9,
pp. 2414-2421,
05/01/1995
Copyright © 1995 by The American Society of Hematology
