Cytokine-Synthesizing Activity of Erythroid Cells.

The presence of mRNA of cytokines IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta, GM-CSF and the absence of mRNA of IL-2, IL-3 and IL-5 were identified in erythroid cells isolated from spleen of mice subjected to erythropoiesis-stimulating actions (treated with phenylhydrazine, acute hypoxia) and from spleen of newborn mice. Gene expression of cytokines in erythroid cells therewith differed both qualitatively and quantitatively depending on erythropoiesis-stimulating action. Erythroid cells of newborn mice contained mRNA of GM-CSF, but did not contain mRNA of IFN-gamma, whereas erythroid cells of mice under acute hypoxia or treated with phenylhydrazine had mRNA of IFN-gamma, but no mRNA of GM-CSF.