MORPHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF KINETIC OF PROLIFERATION OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL GRANULOCYTOPOESIS IN VITRO

In 103 patients with normal or pathologically changed granulocytopoiesis we obtain parameters for the proliferation kinetics on the basis of differential counts including mitoses in original smears, and up to 3 days in the clot culture: G/E-indices, mitotic indices, maturation curves, and caryological curves. From the differential count it is established that in normal man the sleeping population of the granulocytopoiesis comprises only promyelocytes and myelocytes and has normally the same size as the maturing one. Measurements of cells and nuclei show that the promyelocytes of the inactive population are bigger than those of the maturing population, consequently have changed morphologically. By calculation, the myeloblast divides as an α-αn-cell, therefore must be the determinated stem cell of the granulocytopoiesis. To ensure the daily output of mature granulocytes of 114×109 (Cartwright) 1030 ml bone marrow are necessary. A genealogical schema of the mode of granulocytopoiesis is outlined, comprising three generations and at least 6 days. The course of regeneration in a grave agranulocytosis proves our hypothesis, be it in vitro or in vivo.-Earlier results on myelogenous leukemias are confirmed by these more detailed investigations. The defect of maturation and regeneration in chronic myelogenous leukemia cannot be abolished by normal homologous plasm. In sideroachrestic anaemia the granuloblastic proliferation has changed only a little in favour of the myelocytes. In polycythaemia vera the sleeping population of granuloblasts is lacking. It is evident that in reactive eosinophilia the regeneration of the eosinophilic precursors must be reduced and the lifespan of the eosinophilic granulocytes prolonged in comparison with their normal behaviour. © 1969 J. F. Lehmanns Verlag.