title: The distribution of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and its receptor in the developing human fetus.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the distribution of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and its receptor (GM-CSF-R) in the human fetus. We used reverse transcription PCR to detect GM-CSF and GM-CSF-R mRNA in human fetal organs at 8 and 16 wk postconception, and cell-specific protein expression was localized in tissues by immunohistochemistry. GM-CSF was also measured by ELISA in paired samples of spinal fluid and plasma. GM-CSF mRNA and/or protein were detected in lung macrophages, spleen, adrenal cortex, placenta, and CNS including neurons and astrocytes. GM-CSF was detected by ELISA in 10 of the 39 cerebrospinal fluid samples tested. GM-CSF-R mRNA expression was present in all organs tested. Immunoreactivity for GM-CSF-R in most organs was limited to macrophages, but, brain, neurons and glial cells showed immunoreactivity. We conclude that GM-CSF is produced in lung, spleen, adrenal, placenta, and neural tissues during human fetal development and that GM-CSF-responsive cells include macrophages, neurons, and glial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Dame
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Juul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016187:Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016187:Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor