Human CSF2

CSF2 can support the in vitro colony formation of granulocyte macrophage progenitors. It is also a growth factor for erythroid, megakaryocyte, and eosinophil progenitors, and it is produced by a number of different cell types (including T cells, B cells, macrophages, mast cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and adipocytes) in response to cytokine or inflammatory stimuli. On mature hematopoietic cells, CSF2 is a survival factor for and activates the effector functions of granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages, and eosinophils, and promotes a Th1 biased immune response, angiogenesis, allergic inflammation, and the development of autoimmunity. CSF2 shows clinical effectiveness in ameliorating chemotherapy induced neutropenia, and CSF2 transfected tumor cells are utilized as cancer vaccines.
CSF2 exerts its biological effects through a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of GM CSF R alpha /CD116 and the signal transducing common beta chain (CD131). In addition, CSF2 binds a naturally occurring soluble form of CSF2 R alpha. Human GM CSF is active on canine and feline cells but not on murine cells (1-5).