Modulation of myeloid proliferation and differentiation by monoclonal antibodies directed against a protein that interacts with the interleukin-3 receptor

Hematopoietic cells can be transformed through the acquisition of autocrine growth factor production. Because of their ability to inhibit autocrine growth, antibodies directed against the growth factor or its receptor may have therapeutic potential. However, these agents may also inhibit normal cell development. We have developed two monoclonal antibodies, 4G8 and 2F2, directed against a protein of 110 to 150 Kd that interacts with the interleukin-3 (IL-3) receptor (R) complex. These antibodies inhibit IL-3-induced proliferation of nonleukemic and leukemic IL-3-dependent cell lines, as well as the autonomous growth of WEHI-3B in vitro and in vivo. These results suggest the possibility that anti-IL-3R antibodies may be useful in the treatment of some leukemias. However, the effect of anti-IL-3R antibodies on normal myeloid development in vitro has not been examined. We examined the effect of 4G8 and 2F2 on the growth in vitro of colony-forming unit granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colonies induced by IL-3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and macrophage-CSF (M-CSF). Our results show that while 4G8 and 2F2 inhibited CFU-GM colony formation induced by IL-3, they augmented colony formation induced by the other hematopoietins. 4G8 and 2F2 also enhanced G-CSF-induced proliferation of 32Dc13 and GM-CSF-induced proliferation of PT18, confirming that the effect on CFU-GM was a direct effect. Finally, 4G8 and 2F2 inhibited G-CSF-induced differentiation of 32Dc13, similar to low levels of IL-3; yet, neither 4G8 nor 2F2 blocked binding of G-CSF to its receptor. These results indicate that, in the absence of IL-3 and in the presence of other hematopoietins, 4G8 and 2F2 can function as weak IL-3 agonists. These studies suggest that antibodies such as 4G8 and 2F2, directed against components of the IL-3R, could potentially augment myeloid growth in vivo, rather than inhibit myeloid growth.