Cell biology and clinical promise of G-CSF: Immunomodulation and neuroprotection: Cellular Medicine

Abstract

Introduction The immunomodulation of G-CSF in adaptive immunity G-CSF as a regulator of T cell responses G-CSF as an inducer of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) Mechanisms of action of G-CSF in immunomodulation Therapeutic potential of G-CSF in autoimmune diseases The neuroprotection of G-CSF in cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration The expression of G-CSF and G-CSF receptor in central nervous system Penetration of the blood-brain barrier Mechanisms of G-CSF in neuroprotection G-CSF mobilizes haematopoietic stem cells to the injured brain G-CSF activates anti-apoptotic pathway G-CSF drives neuronal differentiation G-CSF enhances angiogenesis Evidence for neuroprotection of G-CSF G-CSF-Bridge between immunomodulation and neuroprotection Weighing G-CSF in immunomodulation and neuroprotection Conclusion and perspectives In the light of the enthusiasm to use of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for immunomodulation and neuroprotection, it should be remembered that the current knowledge is based on a century of laborious research. G-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine playing a major role as regulator of haematopoiesis. Although the precise mechanisms of G-CSF are not known, there is growing evidence supporting the notion that G-CSF also exerts profound immunoregulatory effect in adaptive immunity and has a neuroprotective role in both cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. Here, we describe the immunomodulation and the neuroprotection that can be achieved with G-CSF, and summarize possible mechanisms of G-CSF as a potential therapeutic agent in autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders. Our understanding of these novel sites of action of G-CSF has opened therapeutic avenues for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders, and has translated the beneficial effects of G-CSF from basic experiments to clinical patients. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.