Description
Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF, also termed CSF-1) receptor is an integral membrane tyrosine kinase, expressed in monocytes (macrophages and their progenitors) and drives growth and development of this blood cell lineage.1,2,3 It also triggers growth and development of mononuclear phagocytes and placental trophoblasts.4 M-CSF receptor is present in osteoclasts both at mRNA and protein levels. When M-CSF ligand specifically binds to the M-CSF receptor on osteoclasts, it induces receptor dimerization, activation and autophosphorylation of cytoplasmic tyrosine residues5 M-CSF and its receptor present as candidate therapeutic targets in states of inflammatory bone erosion.6