Bone marrow (BM) stromal cells express CD10 (cALLA), a surface antigen
now known to be a neutral endopeptidase (NEP-24.11). The function of
CD10 in BM stroma is unknown, although purified NEP-24.11 is known to
degrade different substrates including interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta).
We have therefore employed a CD10-positive BM stromal cell line (L2AK
) which proliferates in response to IL-1 beta to test the hypothesis t
hat degradation of this cytokine is one of the functions of stromal CD
10. We first showed that [H-3]thymidine incorporation by L2AK cells is
enhanced by IL-1 beta in a clear dose-dependent manner. Addition of t
he CD10 inhibitor, phosphoramidon, together with IL-1 beta resulted in
a left shift in the dose-response curve which corresponded to a 10-fo
ld potentiation of the IL-1 beta effect. These results indicate that C
D10 on bone marrow stromal cells can degrade IL-1 beta and therefore p
rovide a local control of the effects of this, and possibly other, gro
wth factor(s).