Interleukin with stem cell factor

Hematopoietic growth factors are glycoproteins produced by a number of peripheral and marrow cells. More than 200 billion blood cells are produced each day and the hematopoietic factors, along with other lymphopoietic factors such as- the. stem cell factor and the interleukins, are involved in the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of various types of blood cells derived from the pluripotent stem cells. 

Erythropoiesis is a process that starts with a pluripotent stem cell in the bone marrow that eventually differentiates into an erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E)4 (Fig. 63-1). The development of these cells depends on stimulation from the appropriate growth factors, primarily erythropoietin. Other cytokines involved include granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 3 (IL-3). Eventually, the CFU-Es differentiate into reticulocytes and cross from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood. Finally, these reticulocytes mature into erythrocytes after 1 to 2 days in the bloodstream. Throughout this process, the cells gradually accumulate more hemoglobin and lose their nuclei.4... 

Oprelvekin is an interleukin. Interleukin 11 (lL-11) is a thrombopoietic growth factor that directly stimulates the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and megakaryocyte progenitor cells and induces megakaryocyte maturation, resulting in increased platelet production. It prevents severe thrombocytopenia and reduces the need for platelet transfusions following myelosuppressive chemotherapy in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies. 

---