Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a glycoprotein that stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells and release them into the bloodstream. The pharmaceutical analogs of naturally occurring G-CSF are called filgrastim and lenograstim.

Function

G-CSF is produced by endothelium, macrophages, and a number of other immune cells. The natural human protein is an 18.8-kilodalton glycoprotein containing 174 amino acids in the mature form and is encoded by the CSF3 gene.

G-CSF stimulates the survival, proliferation, differentiation, and function of neutrophilic granulocyte precursors and mature neutrophils. It is also a potent stimulator of peripheral blood progenitor cell mobilization.

Clinical use

G-CSF is used clinically to treat patients with neutropenia, helping to boost their numbers of white blood cells and thus reduce the risk of infection. It is also used in the collection of hematopoietic stem cells for use in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Side effects

Common side effects of G-CSF treatment include bone pain and flu-like symptoms.

See also

• Colony-stimulating factor
• Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor
• Macrophage colony-stimulating factor