Macrophage colony stimulating factor: not just for macrophages anymore! A gateway into complex biologies.
Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF, also called colony stimulating factor-1) has traditionally been viewed as a growth/differentiation factor for monocytes, macrophages, and some female-specific tumors. As a result of alternative mRNA splicing and post-translational processing, several forms of M-CSF protein are produced: a secreted glycoprotein, a longer secreted form containing proteoglycan, and a short membrane-bound isoform. These different forms of M-CSF all initiate cell signaling in cells bearing the M-CSF receptor, called c-fms. Here we review the biology of M-CSF, which has important roles in bone physiology, the intestinal tract, cancer metastases to the bone, macrophage-mediated tumor cell killing and tumor immunity. Although this review concentrates mostly on the membrane form of human M-CSF (mM-CSF), the biology of the soluble forms and the M-CSF receptor will also be discussed for comparative purposes. The mechanisms of the biological effects of the membrane-bound M-CSF reveal that this cytokine is unexpectedly involved in many complex molecular events. Recent experiments suggest that a tumor vaccine based on membrane-bound M-CSF-transduced tumor cells, combined with anti-angiogenic therapy, should be evaluated further for use in clinical trials.
Douglass
Thomas G
TG
Biology Department, California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach CA 90840, United States.
Driggers
Lara
L
Zhang
Jian Gang
JG
Hoa
Neil
N
Delgado
Christina
C
Williams
Christopher C
CC
Dan
Qinhong
Q
Sanchez
Ramon
R
Jeffes
Edward W B
EW
Wepsic
H Terry
HT
Myers
Michael P
MP
Koths
Kirston
K
Jadus
Martin R
MR
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014611:Vaccination
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor