背景説明
GM-CSF, also known as Csf2, is a monomeric glycoprotein secreted by macrophages, T cells, mast cells, NK cells, endothelial cells and fibroblasts that functions as a cytokine. GM-CSF was first characterized as a hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates the proliferation of myeloid cells from bone-marrow progenitors. GM-CSF is now recognized as an important activating and differentiation factor for immune cells, and is essential for a wide range of biological processes in both innate and adaptive immunity. GM-CSF has been shown to protect against pulmonary infection and intestinal inflammation, and it is necessary for normal pulmonary and colon homeostasis.