GM-CSFR

The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR) is a heterodimeric class I cytokine receptor composed of a ligand-specific GM-CSFRα (CD116) subunit and a shared beta common chain (βc/CD131) that is also utilized by IL-3 and IL-5 receptors. GM-CSF first binds GM-CSFRα with low affinity; association with βc converts this into a high-affinity signaling complex that activates JAK2-STAT5, RAS-MAPK and PI3K pathways. The receptor is expressed on myeloid progenitors, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. GM-CSFR signaling promotes proliferation and differentiation of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors, primes neutrophil oxidative burst and phagocytosis, drives macrophage activation, and supports alveolar macrophage and lung surfactant homeostasis. Excessive GM-CSF-GM-CSFR signaling underlies pulmonary alveolar proteinosis via anti-GM-CSF autoantibodies and contributes to rheumatoid arthritis inflammation, prompting development of GM-CSFR blockade (mavrilimumab) for inflammatory disease.