GM-CSF

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important hematopoietic growth factor first identified as an inducer of differentiation and proliferation of granulocytes and macrophages derived from haematopoietic progenitor cells. Later studies have shown that GM-CSF is involved in a wide range of biological processes in both innate and adaptive immunity, with its production being tightly linked to the response to danger signals. GM-CSF is primarily produced by multiple cell types such as activated T cells, B cells, macrophages, monocytes, mast cells, vascular endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. GM-CSF (CSF2R) receptor is composed of an α-subunit which binds GM-CSF with low affinity (GMRα) and a signal-transducing βc-subunit which is shared with the IL-3 and IL-5 receptors. There are many signaling pathways triggered by CSF2R, including Jak/STAT, PI3K, ERK1/2, and NF-kB pathways. GM-CSF has shown potential as a new and important therapeutic target in several autoimmune and inflammatory disorders-particularly in rheumatoid arthritis.