20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in hemopoietic cell cultures and its relationship to interleukin 3.

Expression of 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20 alpha-SDH) has been investigated in long-term bone marrow cultures derived from normal and nude mice in the presence of horse serum and hydrocortisone. 20 alpha-SDH expression rises markedly in the adherent cells derived from normal bone marrow. Early (1-5 days) lipid profiles are similar to those seen in T cells, but at later times (6-14 days) stromal-type lipid patterns dominate. Similar culture of fetal liver and nu/nu bone marrow cells shows rises in 20 alpha-SDH expression, in situations where T cells are notably absent. The expression of 20 alpha-SDH is not associated with detectable endogenous production of "interleukin 3" activity, and although addition of "IL 3" to bone marrow cultures increases the levels of 20 alpha-SDH, this is associated with granulopoiesis rather than lymphoid development.