Description
GCSF is a pleiotropic cytokine best known for its specific effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of hematopoietic cells of the neutrophilic granulocyte lineage. It is produced mainly by monocytes and macrophages upon activation by endotoxin, TNFµ and IFNµ. In vitro, GCSF stimulates growth, differentiation and functions of cells from the neutrophil lineage. It also has blast cell growth factor activity and can synergize with IL3 to shorten the Go period of early hematopoietic progenitors. Consistent with its in vitro functions, GCSF has been found to play important roles in defense against infection, in inflammation and repair, and in the maintenance of steady state hematopoiesis