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Colony-stimulating factor-1 expression in the human fetus and newborn
1Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
Insights
Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) levels in human circulation decrease with increasing gestational age. Fetal tissue expression of CSF-1 is developmentally regulated, supporting its role in mononuclear phagocyte development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Hematopoiesis
Background:
- Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is crucial for mononuclear phagocyte development.
- Mononuclear phagocytes undergo significant changes during fetal and neonatal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental regulation of CSF-1 expression in human fetal circulation and tissues.
- To correlate CSF-1 levels with gestational age during human development.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of CSF-1 concentrations in preterm and full-term infant circulation.
- Measurement of CSF-1 mRNA expression in various fetal tissues across different gestational ages.
- Analysis of CSF-1 protein and mRNA levels in relation to gestational age.
Main Results:
- CSF-1 concentrations declined in preterm circulation with increasing gestational age.
- CSF-1 was detected in multiple fetal organs by 10 weeks gestation.
- CSF-1 mRNA expression showed varying patterns across tissues, with increases in lung and kidney with gestational age.
Conclusions:
- CSF-1 levels in human circulation are developmentally regulated.
- Fetal tissue expression of CSF-1 is consistent with its role in developing tissue mononuclear phagocytes.
Abstract:
Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is a hematopoietic growth factor that regulates the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes. Because this cellular compartment undergoes major changes during fetal and neonatal life, we examined concurrent CSF-1 expression during human development. While levels increased dramatically after full-term birth, CSF-1 concentrations steadily declined in the preterm circulation from 2.7 to 1.9 times adult values as gestational age increased. CSF-1 was already detectable at 10 weeks gestation in spleen, intestine, lung, kidney, heart, and liver in order of decreasing concentration, but a positive correlation with gestational age was seen only in lung and intestine. Although a 4.4-kb CSF-1 mRNA was detectable in all tissues at all gestational ages, increased expression with advancing gestational age was observed in lung and kidney, whereas a rise and fall was observed in spleen. We conclude that CSF-1 concentration in the human circulation is developmentally regulated and that its expression in fetal tissues is compatible with its role in regulating the development of tissue mononuclear phagocytes.