title: The regulation of the development and function of dendritic cell subsets by GM-CSF: more than a hematopoietic growth factor.
abstract: Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a cytokine that functions as a hematopoietic growth factor for the generation of white blood cells and is used clinically to stimulate hematopoiesis following chemotherapy. Apart from stimulating production of granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages, GM-CSF has also long been used for in vitro survival/generation of dendritic cells (DCs) from monocytes and bone marrow cells. Evidence has emerged pointing to an additional role for GM-CSF in regulating the function and differential development of several DC subsets. These newly ascribed functions of GM-CSF may underscore its importance in immunity against pathogens as well as initiating/mediating immunopathology in chronic inflammation. Here we summarize recent advances on the role of GM-CSF in regulating the development and function of DC subsets and discuss the biological significance of these new findings.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Australia. zhan@wehi.edu.au
authors.forename: Yifan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Yuekang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Andrew M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lew
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor