Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (G-CSF)

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), also known as colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), is a glycoprotein and cytokine that acts as a primary regulator of neutrophil production and release from the bone marrow (UniProt: P09919). It is produced by various cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, typically in response to inflammatory stimuli like lipopolysaccharides or other cytokines (PubMed: 11591450). In clinical medicine, G-CSF is a vital therapeutic agent; recombinant versions such as filgrastim are used to treat neutropenia resulting from chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation (StatPearls: Filgrastim). The molecule functions by binding to the G-CSF receptor (CSF3R), triggering signaling pathways like JAK/STAT and MAPK that promote the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of neutrophil precursors (PubMed: 16517720). While therapeutically beneficial for immune support, excessive G-CSF activity is sometimes linked to inflammatory diseases or certain myeloid leukemias (PubMed: 23812016). Overall, G-CSF is a cornerstone of hematological therapy, bridging the gap between immune signaling and blood cell production.

Other names

Colony-stimulating factor 3CSF3PluripoietinFilgrastimLenograstim

Recombinant G-CSF analogs act as agonists at the G-CSF receptor (CSF3R), mimicking the endogenous ligand to stimulate the production and maturation of neutrophils (StatPearls: Filgrastim).