Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: preclinical and clinical studies.

The production of neutrophil granulocytes is a complex and dynamic process during which a small number of self-renewing stem cells give rise to lineage-specific progenitors. One hematopoietic glycoprotein that appears to specifically control the survival, cycle activation, proliferation and terminal maturation of this myeloid lineage is granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Some topics discussed are its molecular characterization, biochemical purification, sources, and effects of administration.