title: G-CSF: function and modes of action (Review).
abstract: Since the observations in the 1960s that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) stimulated the proliferation of granulocytic cells in semisolid cultures of bone marrow cells, G-CSF has established itself as a useful clinical agent for increasing levels of neutrophilic granulocytes. However, these early findings did not firmly establish whether G-CSF is a genuine regulator of granulocyte formation under normal physiological conditions or rather acts as an emergency regulator, playing an important role only under stress conditions. The advent of <gene-knockout technology> has allowed us to evaluate these questions in a physiological setting through analysis of mice with a targeted mutation of G-CSF or its receptor, while the development of relevant cell models has enabled us to dissect the molecular basis of G-CSF action. This review discusses our current state of knowledge regarding the role of G-CSF in granulopoiesis.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Melbourne Tumor Biology Branch, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Sunanda.Basu@ludwig.edu.au
authors.forename: Sunanda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basu
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Alister
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019891:Leukopoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor