Function
Colony-stimulating factors (CSF) are growth regulatory factors which influence functional activity, survival, proliferation and differentiation of myeloid mature and haemopoietic cells. Four distinct CSFs were characterized[1].
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) acts on proliferation, functional stimulation and differentiation of progenitors of neutrophils.
- Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) acts on proliferation, functional stimulation and differentiation of progenitors of neutrophils, monocytes and granulocytes[2].
- Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or lanimostin acts on proliferation, functional stimulation and differentiation of progenitors of monocytes and macrophages.
- multi-colony-stimulating factor also known as interleukin 3.
Relevance
Depletion of CSFs have therapeutic benefit in many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions[3]. G-CSF and GM-CSF are used to increase low white blood cell levels in cancer patients following chemotherapy and to release haematopoietic stem cells which replace bone marrow cells after anti-cancer treatments[4]. G-CSF is a neurotrophic factor and thus a candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions[5]. G-CSF and GN-CSF ar commercially available for clinical use[6].
Structural highlights
The structure of the complex between M-CSF and its receptor shows that a . There are [7]. . See also Colony-stimulating factor receptor
3D structures of colony-stimulating factor
Colony-stimulating factor 3D structures
