Production and role of macrophage colony stimulating factor (CSF-1 or M-CSF) in hematological pathology

M-CSF, an homodimeric glycoprotein initially identified as a Colony Stimulating Factor, can now be considered as a cytokine-produced by multiple cell types, including T cells and acting on hematological and non hematological tissues. In this short article, we bring evidence that the production of M-CSF is inducible in T cells in vitro and in vivo and that it plays a central role in several hematological disorders. A particular emphasis will be given to EBV induced hemophagocytic syndromes and to related disorders during the oral presentation.