Corticosteroid effect on murine hemopoietic precursor cells in vivo.

The effect of methylprednisolone on murine hemopoietic colony formation in diffusion chambers implanted in mice was evaluated. A dose-dependent increase in granulocytic colony (CFU-DG) formation from murine marrow was observed. This effect could be abrogated by administration of progesterone. These studies suggest that the murine early granulocytic precursors (CFU-DG) have receptors that mediate proliferation-promoting signals triggered by glucocorticoids. Erythroid colony formation (CFU-DE) was not effected by methylprednisolone administration.