A novel neuroprotectant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.
OBJECTIVE
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor that orchestrates the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic progenitor cells. It has been used for many years in clinical practice to accelerate the recovery of patients from neutropenia after cytotoxic therapy. However, there is a growing body of evidence from experimental studies suggesting that G-CSF also has important nonhematopoietic functions in the central nervous system.


RESULTS
The presence of the G-CSF/G-CSF-receptor system in the brain and its role in neuroprotection and neural tissue repair has been investigated in many recent studies. The neuroprotective actions of G-CSF have mainly been attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Furthermore, it induces neurogenesis and angiogenesis and improves functional recovery. In this review, we summarize the role of G-CSF and the corresponding signal transduction pathways regulated by G-CSF in neuroprotection.


CONCLUSIONS
Much additional work is needed to better understand the precise mechanisms of G-CSF-induced neuroprotection. However, there is emerging data suggesting that G-CSF is a potential new agent for neuroprotection.
Solaroglu
Ihsan
I
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA.
Cahill
Julian
J
Jadhav
Vikram
V
Zhang
John H
JH
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor