title: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF): one of a family of epithelial cell-derived cytokines in the preimplantation uterus.
abstract: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is one of a number of lympho-haemapoietic cytokines, including CSF-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) now known to be synthesized by epithelial cells in the murine uterus. GM-CSF synthesis is regulated primarily by the ovarian steroid hormone oestrogen, but is also subject to modulation by factors including a seminal component of seminal vesicle origin which stimulates a 20-fold increase in luminal fluid content at mating, and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the T-lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell product interferon-gamma (IFN gamma). In the non-pregnant mouse GM-CSF synthesis peaks at oestrus. Synthesis is maintained at comparable or moderately higher levels during the preimplantation period of pregnancy and in the non-decidualized endometrium during mid gestation. An embryotrophic activity is suggested by studies in vitro that indicate that GM-CSF stimulates attachment and outgrowth of blastocysts. It is postulated that GM-CSF is of major importance to the physiology of pregnancy through its role as a component of a local cytokine circuit acting to recruit and regulate function of endometrial leukocytes, and by its action as interlocutor and important effector arm in embryo-maternal interactions during gestation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Seamark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D013256:Steroids; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor