Colony-stimulating factors
Colony-stimulating factors
Colony-stimulating factors (pronunciation: /ˈkɒləni stɪmjuːleɪtɪŋ ˈfæktəz/), also known as CSFs, are substances that stimulate the production of blood cells and promote their ability to function. They are a type of cytokine and are produced by a variety of different cell types.
Etymology
The term "colony-stimulating factors" is derived from the method by which they were discovered. Scientists observed that these substances could stimulate the formation of colonies of hematopoietic stem cells in culture.
Types of CSFs
There are several types of colony-stimulating factors, including:
- Granulocyte CSF (G-CSF)
- Granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF)
- Macrophage CSF (M-CSF)
- Interleukin-3 (IL-3), which has multiple colony-stimulating activities
Function
Colony-stimulating factors are essential for the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells along the hematopoietic pathway. They are also involved in the activation of mature cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages.
Clinical significance
Colony-stimulating factors are used clinically to treat conditions where the production of blood cells is impaired, such as in patients undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplants. They can also be used to boost the immune system in certain conditions, such as neutropenia.
See also
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