SCF, IL-1 beta, IL-1ra and GM-CSF in the bone marrow and serum of normal individuals and of AML and CML patients

This study compared cytokine transcript and protein levels in BM cells of n ormal individuals and leukemic patients. AML differed from normal in that: (1) AML marrow cells contain more IL-1 beta protein than normal cells, (2) IL-1ra transcripts are absent from AML marrow cells, (3) AML marrow serum c ontains less IL-1ra protein than normal, (4) peripheral blood and marrow se rum of AML patients contains more SCF protein than normal serum, and (5) SC F transcripts have been detected in AML marrow biopsies and not in aspirate cells. These data suggest that unbalanced cytokine production may make a s ignificant contribution to the abnormal behaviour of AML cells. (C) 2000 Ac ademic Press.