Factors effecting granulopoiesis in childhood aplastic anemia
In this study, we investigated the factors involved in the regulation of granulopoiesis in childhood aplastic anemia. Bone marrow, peripheral blood cells, and serum from nine children with aplastic anemia were added to normal bone marrow cells. All patients had decreased number of colony-forming units-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM). None of the patients had significant humoral inhibitors in their serum. Bone marrow cells from three patients were inhibitory to normal in vitro granulopoiesis; peripheral blood cells from two of these patients were also inhibitory. Two of the patients showing inhibition had not received transfusions. It may be concluded that all children with aplastic anemia have decreased CFU-GM, and in only a minority of cases is this related to inhibitory cells. All patients with aplastic anemia should be investigated prior to bone marrow transplantation. © Lippincott-Raven Publishers.
