Role of carbohydrate moiety in granulocyte colony stimulating factor

Biological activities of two granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) preparations with (Lenograstim) or without (Filgrastim) sugar moiety were c ompared. Both C-CSF preparations similarly enhanced the N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Ph e-induced-migration of human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells, but did not significantly affect the proliferation of human oral tumor cell lin es (HSC-2 MSG). However, Lenograstim induced cytotoxicity (accompanied by t he production of cytoplasmic vacuoles and large DNA fragments) in human pro myelocytic leukemic cells HL-60, more potently than Filgrastim. Lenograstim , but not Filgrastim, enhanced the cytotoxic activity of sodium ascorbate. In contrast to Lenograstim, Filgrastim was degraded gradually, but too slow ly to explain its lower biological activity. These data suggest that the ca rbohydrate moiety in G-CSF might confer unique biological activities.