title: G-CSF and neuroprotection: a therapeutic perspective in cerebral ischaemia.
abstract: In several experimental studies of cerebral ischaemia, G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) exerted neuroprotective effects through different mechanisms, including mobilization of haemopoietic stem cells, anti-apoptosis, neuronal differentiation, angiogenesis and anti-inflammation. Hence, G-CSF not only inhibits neuron death, but also generates 'new' neural tissue formation. A small pilot trial reports on the safety and feasibility of G-CSF therapy in stroke patients. According to this evidence, we can speculate that G-CSF, being used either alone or in combination with another agent, should have a dual activity beneficial both to acute neuronal protection and long-term plasticity after cerebral ischaemia, thus proposing that G-CSF is an ideal new drug for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institute of Brain Science, University of Fudan, 12 Middle Wulumuqi Road, 200040 Shanghai, People's Republic of China. czlu@shmu.edu.cn
authors.forename: C-Z
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: B-G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D017741:Survivors
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor