Enkephalinase-blocking agent thiorphan affects cell growth and differentiation in long term culture of mouse bone marrow

Enkephalinase-blocking agent thiorphan was added to long-term cultures of mouse bone marrow cells at the time of culture initiation (time 0) or 2 weeks thereafter, when the stromal layer appears. Cellularity, cell morphology (in cytospin smears) and the yield of granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (GM-CFC assay in agar) were recorded. Low concentrations of thiorphan accelerated recovery of the cultures after an initial drop of the cell count. Expansion and maturation of the granulocytic lineage was promoted, with parallel decline of the GM-CFC yield. Thiorphan probably interfered with the activity of enkephalinase (endopeptidase 24.11) in the cultures. That enzyme is the CD10 surface marker (CALLA) of lymphoid, myeloid and stromal elements.