The development of macrophages from human CD34 haematopoietic stem cells in serum-free cultures is optimized by IL-3 and SCF

Abstract

The derivation of human macrophages from peripheral blood monocytes remains a convenient method for the study of macrophage biology. However, for macrophage differentiation, a significant proportion of development has occurred prior to the monocyte stage; monocyte subsets also have varying potential for differentiation. Differentiation of macrophages from a less mature precursor, such as CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells, can further inform with regard to the development of macrophage-lineage cells. CD34+ cells were cultured in serum-free medium containing Flt3L, SCF, IL-3, IL-6 and M-CSF. Using differing combinations of growth factors, the effect on cell proliferation and differentiation to a..