CSF-1 as a regulator of macrophage activation and immune responses
Sweet, M.J.; Hume, D.A.
Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis 51(3): 169-177
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-069X PMID: 12894871 Document Number: 566430
Macrophage activation is a key determinant of susceptibility and pathology in a variety of inflammatory diseases. The extent of macrophage activation is tightly regulated by a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IFN-gamma, IL-2, GM-CSF, IL-3) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-4, IL-10, TGF-beta). Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1/M-CSF) is a key differentiation, growth and survival factor for monocytes/macrophages and osteoclasts. The role of this factor in regulating macrophage activation is often overlooked. This review will summarize our current understanding of the effects of CSF-1 on the activation state of mature macrophages and its role in regulating immune responses.