The role of erythropoietin in erythroid colony formation from Rauscher leukemia virus-infected mice.

Recent work has led to conflicting results regarding the in vitro control of erythropoiesis in mice infected with Rauscher Leukemia Virus (RLV). Some reports claimed that marrow or splenic erythropoiesis from RLV-infected mice were independent of exogenously added erythropoietin (Ep), while other reports supported the view that erythroid stem cells (CFUE) from RLV-infected mice required EP for erythroid differentiation and proliferation. Results reported here demonstrate that erythroid differentiation and proliferation. Results reported here demonstrate that CFUE cultured from RLV-inoculated mice are dependent upon Ep for erythroid differentiation. Furthermore, RLV-infected mice which had received transfusions to suppress the endogenous production of Ep not only had a reduction in spleen weight and reticulocyte percentage, but also reduced numbers of CFUE and BFUE.