The hematopoiesis-specific G protein alpha subunit Galpha16 is a specific element in the signal transduction of the early hematopoietic cytokine network. As Galpha16 mRNA can be detected in early hematopoietic progenitor cells, RT-PCR for Galpha16 can be used as a sensitive marker of hematopoietic activity. The aim of this study was to test the possible use of Galpha16 determinations for monitoring cytokine effects on hematopoietic recovery after chemotherapy in patients. We correlated presence of Galpha16 mRNA and CD34 surface antigen with hematopoietic recovery in six lymphoma patients undergoing salvage therapy with different cytokine support (IEV followed by G-CSF, IL-3, or placebo). Regardless of different cytokine schedules with different time courses, hematopoietic recovery was always preceded by transcription of Galpha16. Monitoring the expression of Galpha16 mRNA by RT-PCR is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool for analyzing hematopoietic recovery after chemotherapy and for characterizing the effects of cytokines on hematopoiesis.
Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.