Mast cells and their committed precursors are not required for
interleukin-3-induced histamine synthesis in murine bone marrow:
characteristics of histamine-producing cells
E Schneider, RE Ploemacher, B Nabarra, NH Brons and M Dy
CNRS URA 1461, Hopital Necker, Paris, France.
In the present study we investigate the nature of the murine bone marrow
cell subset responsible for the marked increase in histamine synthesis
induced by interleukin-3 (IL-3). Because mast cells, and eventually their
committed precursors, represent a potential source of histamine in this
context, we examined their possible participation in this biologic activity
with particular attention. We provide evidence that neither of these
populations respond to IL-3 in terms of histamine synthesis and that other
differentiated end cells or stromal components of the bone marrow are also
not involved in this phenomenon. Starting from these findings, we further
characterized the immature hematopoietic compartment responsible for
IL-3-induced histamine synthesis using fluorescence-activated cell sorter
(FACS) sorting based on rhodamine retention or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)
affinity. These procedures have allowed us to ascribe the following
features to histamine-producing cells: (1) They belong to a low-density,
progenitor- enriched bone marrow subset containing cells of relatively
important size and internal structure. (2) The highest histamine levels are
generated by the rhodamine-bright fraction of this population, while the
most primitive rhodamine-dull cells do not express this biologic activity.
(3) Histamine-producing cells do not copurify with colony- forming units in
spleen day 7 and day 12 in WGA-bright fractions. (4) Their enrichment is
associated with increased frequencies of cells forming colonies in
methylcellulose (CFU-C), suggesting the involvement of several progenitors
with partially limited differentiation potential in this biologic activity.
Volume 81,
Issue 5,
pp. 1161-1169,
03/01/1993
Copyright © 1993 by The American Society of Hematology
