Serum levels of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF): a marker of kidney allograft rejection.

Background: Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is the principal factor for survival of monocytes and macrophages that play an important role in allograft rejection. We studied M-CSF serum levels during successful renal transplantation and acute graft rejection.

Methods: A total of 114 kidney allograft recipients were assessed for M-CSF levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Cyclosporin A inhibition of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) production by activated human T lymphocytes.

M-CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. M-CSF is produced by numerous cells including CD3-activated T cells. M-CSF serum levels are increased during acute graft rejection.