Subcutaneous administration of Granulocyte-macrophage - colony stimula
ting factor (GM-CSF) to mice enhanced LPS-induced cytokine production
in the circulation (TNF, IL-6) and peritoneal cavity (TL-1 beta, IL-6)
, This effect was induced rapidly (within 1 h) and persisted for 4 h,
Mice made leukopenic with cyclophosphamide retained the ability to res
pond to GM-CSE In addition, TNF induced IL-6 production was also enhan
ced, These results demonstrate that GM-CSF has a pronounced priming ef
fect on cytokine producing cells in vivo and raises the possibility th
at this cytokine may contribute to the pathogenesis of septic shock.