Prostaglandin E2 Stimulates the Growth of Human Blood CD34 Progenitors

We have investigated the effect of PGE(2) on the growth of human blood CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells. Cultivation of cells in liquid culture for 3 days with PGE(2) (100-10 nM) stimulates their [H-3]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Semisolid cultures of these cells reveal the growth of an elevated number of BFU-E and CFU-GM colonies as compared with controls. Addition of PGE(2) (10 nM) in methycellulose cultures immediately after purification results in an elevated cloning efficiency of both BFU-E and CFU-GM. Finally by using limiting dilution assays we demonstrated that PGE(2) acts directly at a single cell level. These results indicate, for the first time, that PGE(2) may enhance human erythropoiesis and granulopoiesis by a direct effect on human CD34(+) progenitor cells.