Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor

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Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a hematopoietic growth factor that regulates the following functions of monocytes: Proliferation, Differentiation, Functional activation.

M-CSF is also known as colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1). It's produced by a variety of cells, including:

• Monocytes
• Smooth muscle cells
• Endothelial cells
• Fibroblasts

M-CSF plays a role in:

• Enhancing the effector functions of mature monocytes and macrophages
• Causing hematopoietic stem cells to differentiate into macrophages
• Combating intercellular viral infection

M-CSF is normally detected in human serum