Effect of anti-CSF on in vivo hemopoiesis.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether colony-stimulating factor in the serum is important in the control of granulopoiesis and monocytopoiesis. Groups of mice were injected with either antiserum to colony-stimulating factor (CSF) or normal rabbit serum every 12 h for intervals of 6-7 days. Antibody treatment did not lead to a reduction in circulating granulocytes or monocytes nor a decrease in marrow cellularity. In further studies, two dose levels of purified anti-CSF were employed; rabbit IgG served as a control. Virtually no effect was observed on blood monocytes, blood granulocytes, or marrow granulocytes; however, antibody treatment did cause a decline in marrow colony-forming cells and a reciprocal increase in erythroid progenitor cells. Immunoassays showed a virtual absence of serum anti-CSF after five days, despite continued administration of the antibody. Modified immunoassays indicated that this was due to development of murine antibodies directed against anti-CSF. In further experiments, mice received the purified antibody or whole antiserum in conjunction with cortisone to reduce murine antibody formation. Despite persistent anti-CSF levels in the serum, blood granulocytes, blood monocytes, and marrow precursor cells were unaffected. These findings suggest that serum levels of CSF do not appear to be responsible for in vivo granulopoiesis or monocytopoiesis.