Granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor GM-CSF

Erythropoiesis is a process that starts with a pluripotent stem cell in the bone marrow that eventually differentiates into an erythroid colony-forming unit (CFU-E)4 (Fig. 63-1). The development of these cells depends on stimulation from the appropriate growth factors, primarily erythropoietin. Other cytokines involved include granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 3 (IL-3). Eventually, the CFU-Es differentiate into reticulocytes and cross from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood. Finally, these reticulocytes mature into erythrocytes after 1 to 2 days in the bloodstream. Throughout this process, the cells gradually accumulate more hemoglobin and lose their nuclei.4... 

Granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4)... 

In this context the recombinant human cytokines and colony stimulating factors such as interferones, interleukines 1 and 2 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have to be mentioned. The application of these substances, which are used mainly for the restoration of the immune system as well as for its activation, will not be discussed here, since they do not fit into the scope and aim of this book. Apart from that, it has to be stated that the success obtained with the body s own immune regulators are not yet very convincing and one must underline the necessity to search for new immunostimulants from other sources. 

This family includes two subtypes i. Short-chain (Sc subtype) interleukin (IL)-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), IFNy... 

---