Effect of lithium on growth of bone marrow stromal cells

Objective: To investigate the effect of lithium on the growth of bone marrow stromal cells. Methods: We compared the different effects of lithium with the concentration of 0.1-12 mmol/L on the growth of murine fibroblast colony forming unit (mCFU-F), human fibroblast colony forming unit (hCFU-F) and their intercolonial cells. Pure murine bone marrow stromal cell assay was used to investigate the mechanism. Results: Cultures with 1-4 mmol/L lithium resulted in significant increase in the number of hCFU-F, but distinct decrease in the number of mCFU-F. Furthermore, there were much more endothelial cells between mCFU-Fs than those between hCFU-Fs. The direct effect of 1-4 mmol/L lithium on the growth of pure murine fibroblasts and endothelial cells was stimulatory. Serum-free endothelial cell conditioned medium (EC-CM could inhibit the growth of rnCFU-F. Conclusions: 1-4 mmol/L lithium has stimulatory effect on the growth of pure murine fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The inhibitory effect of lithium on mCFU-F formation may result from the effect of increased endothelial cells.