EFFECT OF ACTINOMYCIN-D AND BUSULFAN ON STEM-CELLS IN NORMAL AND FRIEND-VIRUS INFECTED MICE

Busulphan, Actinomycin D, and a combination of both were used to treat normal NMRI and DBA/2 mice and mice with Friend virus induced polycythemia. In FV-P infected mice a new cell type is found after virus infection, which gives rise to erythropoietic colonies (CFUE) in vitro without addition of Erythropoietin (Ep), which completely replace normal Ep dependent CFUE. After treatment, CFUs, CFUc, and CFUE were studied. Busulphan (30 mg/kg p.o.) did reduce CFUs and CFUc growth in virus infected and control mice to the same extent. Six days after Busulphan in the bone marrow, but not in the spleen, some Ep dependent CFUE were observed in the virus infected animals, not seen before treatment. Actinomycin D (2×120 μg/kg s.c.) suppressed the CFUE growth in normal mice more effectively in the spleen than in the bone marrow. In FV-P infected mice Act D induced a total suppression of CFUE colony growth in both organs. During regeneration no normal Ep-dependent CFUE growth was observed. The combination of both drugs completely suppressed CFUE growth for at least 4 days in the marrow and for 9 days in the spleen. During the regeneration all CFUE growth was Ep independent. The results are discussed with respect to the origin of the Ep independent colonies within the stem cell compartments and the possibilities of chemotherapy. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.