G-CSF

Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF; CSF 3) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which primarily stimulates the survival, proliferation, differentiation and function of neutrophil granulocyte progenitor cells and mature neutrophils. Human G-CSF is secreted mainly by monocytes and macrophages, but is also produced by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and bone marrow stromal cells. G-CSF binds and activates its cognate receptor G-CSFR on neutrophils and their progenitors, which initiates downstream signaling cascades that include the Jak-STAT and MAP kinase pathways. G-CSF is a major regulator of neutrophil development and contributes to the regulation of multipotent hematopoietic progenitors. In addition, G-CSF also influences the phenotype and function of mature neutrophils and does so by modulating expression of for example chemokine receptors, up-regulating phagocytosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhancing bactericidal activity of neutrophils. It is worth mentioning that G-CSF is an FDA- and EMA- approved drug commonly used to treat neutropenia and to mobilize bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation.