Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor(M-CSF), also known as CSF-1, is a four-alpha -helical-bundle cytokine that is the primary regulator of macrophage survival, proliferation and differentiation [1-3]. M-CSF protein is also essential for the survival and proliferation of osteoclast progenitors [1, 4]. M-CSF also primes and enhances macrophage killing of tumor cells and microorganisms, regulates the release of cytokines and other inflammatory modulators from macrophages, and stimulates pinocytosis [2, 3]. M-CSF increases during pregnancy to support implantation and growth of the decidua and placenta [5]. Sources of M-CSF include fibroblasts, activated macrophages, endometrial secretory epithelium, bone marrow stromal cells and activated endothelial cells [1-5]. The M-CSF receptor (c-fms) transduces its pleotropic effects and mediates its endocytosis. The first 229 aa of mature mouse M-CSF shares 87%, 83%, 82% and 81% aa identity with corresponding regions of rat, dog, cow and human M-CSF, respectively [6, 7]. Human M-CSF is active in the mouse, but mouse M-CSF is reported to be species-specific.
Reference
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[4]. Ryan, G.R. et al. (2001) Blood 98:74.
[5]. Makrigiannakis, A. et al. (2006) Trends Endocrinol. Metab. 17:178.
[6]. DeLamarter, J.F. et al. (1987) Nucleic Acids Res. 15:2389.
[7] Ladner, M.B. et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:6706.