The colony-stimulating factors. An overview

Hemopoietic cell proliferation, differentiation, and function appear to be regulated by cytokines designated as colony-stimulating factors (CSF) or interleukins (IL) based on their original description. These cytokines are characterized by pleiotropic actions in multiple lineages and at multiple levels. Additionally, synergistic interactions are prominent, particularly at the level of early stem cells. Baseline regulation of hemopoiesis may be regulated by presentation of multiple growth factors at the bone marrow stromal cell surface.