Granulocyte interactions with GM-CSF and G-CSF secretion by endothelial cells and monocytes.

We have, in previous studies, characterized the cytokine and cellular regulation of GM-CSF and G-CSF production by monocytes and endothelial cells. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of granulocytes. The addition of granulocytes to endotoxin-stimulated monocytes dose-dependently decreased both GM-CSF and G-CSF concentrations, presumably by absorbing the cytokines. A similar dose-dependent decrease in GM-CSF concentration was found when granulocytes were added to IL-1-stimulated endothelial cells. In contrast, G-CSF secretion by endothelial cells responded to granulocytes in a biphasic fashion. At low granulocyte concentrations, endothelial cells responded with an increased G-CSF secretion, but at high concentrations of granulocytes G-CSF secretion was down modulated. Our results suggest that there exist two loops between granulocytes and endothelial cells for regulating G-CSF activity. Granulocytes can stimulate G-CSF secretion by activated endothelial cells but can also decrease the biological activity by absorbing the cytokine. These mechanisms might be involved in the regulation of the local and systemic levels of granulocytes.