Cell biology and clinical promise of G-CSF: immunomodulation and neuroprotection.
In the light of the enthusiasm to use of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for immunomodulation and neuroprotection, it should be remembered that the current knowledge is based on a century of laborious research. G-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine playing a major role as regulator of haematopoiesis. Although the precise mechanisms of G-CSF are not known, there is growing evidence supporting the notion that G-CSF also exerts profound immunoregulatory effect in adaptive immunity and has a neuroprotective role in both cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. Here, we describe the immunomodulation and the neuroprotection that can be achieved with G-CSF, and summarize possible mechanisms of G-CSF as a potential therapeutic agent in autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders. Our understanding of these novel sites of action of G-CSF has opened therapeutic avenues for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders, and has translated the beneficial effects of G-CSF from basic experiments to clinical patients.
Xiao
Bao-Guo
BG
Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Institutes of Brain Science and State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. bgxiao@shmu.edu.cn
Lu
Chuan-Zhen
CZ
Link
Hans
H
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor