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Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a homodimeric glycoprotein growth factor that regulates proliferation and differentiation of myeloid hematopoietic progenitor cells to mononuclear phagocytic cell lineages, including monocytes, macrophages, and osteoclasts. M-CSF is a crucial factor for the development of tissue-resident macrophages in most tissues (Ginhoux and Jung). It is required for the maturation and activation of monocytes and macrophages, and regulates inflammatory responses in conjunction with other stimuli such as IFN-γ, LPS, and IL-4 (Murray et al.). M-CSF is also required for bone resorption by osteoclasts, and is involved in the development and regulation of the placenta, mammary gland, and brain. M-CSF is produced by monocytes, fibroblasts, osteoclasts, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and tumor cells (Chockalingam and Ghosh). M-CSF exerts its biological effects by signaling through a receptor tyrosine kinase (CSF-1R or M-CSF-R) encoded by the c-fms proto-oncogene (Hamilton). CSF-1R shares similar structural features with other growth factor receptors, including the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF-R), and Flt3/Flk-2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Stimulation of the CSF-1R upon binding to M-CSF activates MAPK, PI3K, and PLCγ signaling pathways (Chockalingam and Ghosh). Human and mouse M-CSF sequences are highly conserved both at nucleotide and amino acid levels (80% homology; DeLamarter et al.).

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Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a member of the CSF family of glycoproteins that regulate hematopoietic cell proliferation, differentiation, and function. It is a key cytokine involved in the production of neutrophils and the stimulation of granulocyte colony formation from hematopoietic progenitor cells (Metcalf and Nicola). G-CSF causes a range of effects including a transient reduction of SDF-1 expression (Petit et al.), the activation of metalloproteases that cleave VCAM-1 (Levesque et al.), and the release of norepinephrine from the sympathetic nervous system (Katayama et al.), leading to the release or mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow into the periphery. The G-CSF receptor is expressed on a variety of hematopoietic cells, including myeloid-committed progenitor cells, neutrophils, granulocytes, and monocytes. In addition to hematopoietic cells, G-CSF is also expressed in cardiomyocytes, neuronal cells, mesothelial cells, and endothelial cells. Mouse G-CSF was first purified from cultures of the WEHI-3B myelomonocytic leukemia cell line as the inducer of the terminal differentiation of WEHI-3B and other myeloid leukemia cell lines (Nicola et al.). It was later cloned in monkey COS cells from a cDNA library prepared with mRNA derived from mouse fibrosarcoma NFSA cells that produce G-CSF constitutively (Tsuchiya et al.). Binding of G-CSF to its receptor leads to activation of the JAK/STAT, MAPK, PI3K, and AKT signal transduction pathways.

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Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is the founding member of the family of cytokines that includes Interleukin 17B through Interleukin 17F. It is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that plays a key role in defense against pathogens. IL-17A and IL-17F signal as homodimers or heterodimers through the same receptor, and activate NF-kB, MAPK, and C/EBP pathways (Gaffen). IL-17A receptor is expressed on a variety of cell types, including hematopoietic cell compartments. IL-17A is produced by T helper 17 cells, CD8+ T cells, γδ T cells, natural killer T cells, B cells, neutrophils, innate lymphoid cells and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs; Zenobia and amp; Hajishengallis; Mojsilovic et al.). IL-17A receptor is expressed at particularly high levels on stromal cells, including MSCs. IL-17A increases the frequency and the average size of colony-forming units-fibroblast derived from bone marrow, as well as the proliferation of bone marrow-derived MSCs. IL-17A suppresses osteogenic differentiation and bone formation of bone marrow-derived MSCs. The action of IL-17A on hematopoiesis is deeply reliant on the microenvironment and the induction of other regulators. In healthy mouse bone marrow, IL-17A stimulates myeloid and early stage erythroid progenitor cells but inhibits late stage erythroid progenitor cells (Mojsilovic et al.).

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Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide bridge-stabilized polypeptide chains, A and B, which are assembled as heterodimers (PDGF-AB) or homodimers (PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB) (Fretto et al.; Westermark and Heldin). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta. It has been shown that PDGF-induced migration involves signaling pathways involving MEK/ERK, EGFR, Src, and PI3K/AKT (Kim et al.). PDGF is a potent mitogen for cells of mesenchymal origin, such as fibroblasts, glial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. PDGF has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, cancer, and in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aortic tissues (Fretto et al.; Sachinidis et al.). It has been suggested that PDGF-AA is an important autocrine regulator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in non-small cell lung carcinomas (Shikada et al.). PDGF-AA also mediates proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and oligodendrocyte lineage differentiation through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) (Hu et al.). PDGF-AA is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into oligodendrocyte precursor cells (Piao et al.).

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Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. In synergy with other cytokines such as stem cell factor, IL-3, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, it also stimulates erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Barreda et al.). GM-CSF is produced by multiple cell types, including stromal cells, Paneth cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and Th1 and Th17 T cells (Francisco-Cruz et al.). The receptor for GM-CSF (GM-CSFR) is composed of two subunits: the cytokine-specific α subunit (GMRα; CD116) and the common subunit βc (CD131) shared with IL-3 and IL-5 receptors (Broughton et al.). GM-CSFR is expressed on hematopoietic cells, including progenitor cells and immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells. Recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) promotes the production of myeloid cells of the granulocytic (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) and monocytic lineages in vivo. It has been tested for mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells and for treating chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients. GM-CSF is able to stimulate the development of DCs that ingest, process, and present antigens to the immune system (Francisco-Cruz et al.).

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The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family has five heparin-binding members that assemble into four homodimers (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-CC, and PDGF-DD) and one heterodimer (PDGF-AB; Li and Eriksson). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. It has been shown that PDGF-induced migration involves signaling pathways involving MEK/ERK, EGFR, Src and PI3K/AKT (Kim et al.). PDGF is a potent mitogen for cells of mesenchymal origin such as fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells. PDGF has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, cancer, and in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aortic tissues (Fretto et al.; Sachinidis et al.). PDGF-CC is secreted as a latent growth factor and requires activation by proteolytic processing (Li and Eriksson). PDGF-CC binds to PDGFRα homodimers and PDGFRαβ heterodimers, but not to PDGFRβ homodimers (Li and Eriksson). PDGF-CC is an angiogenic factor that stimulates coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and plays a role in cardiovascular development (Gilbertson et al.). PDGF-CC is also expressed in many tumors and plays a role in tumorigenesis (Zwerner and May).

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Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic factor that belongs to the four-helix bundle cytokine family and is structurally related to interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 11 (IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM). CNTF binds to its receptor CNFTRα and induces formation of a heterodimer of the signal-transducing IL-6 receptor gp130 and LIF receptor (LIFR)-β, which triggers JAK/STAT, ERK, and the PI3K signaling cascades (Schuster et al.). CNTF plays an important role in neurogenesis and the differentiation of neural stem cells and has been suggested to possess a therapeutic role in treating neurological disorders (Ding et al.; Oppenheim et al.). CNTF has also been shown to protect rod photoreceptors from light-induced damage and to have therapeutic effects on retinal degenerative diseases caused by genetic defect or damage induced by toxins, autoantibodies, or strong light (Pernet et al.; Rhee et al.). Another therapeutic role of CNTF has been reported in protecting oligodendrocytes from death induced by apoptosis (Louis et al.). Additionally, CNTF is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into astrocytes (Krencik and Zhang).

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Stem cell factor (SCF) is an early-acting cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. SCF promotes cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and functional activation of cells at multiple levels of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Together with other cytokines such as thrombopoietin and Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand, SCF is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive hematopoietic stem cells and multi-potent progenitor cells in culture (Huang et al.; Kent et al.). In synergy with various growth factors, including IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, G-CSF, and erythropoietin, SCF increases proliferation and differentiation of myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells and a subset of lymphoid progenitor cells (Broudy). In the mouse, SCF is essential during fetal gonadal development (Mauduit). It is produced by stromal cells in the fetal liver, bone marrow, and thymus, in the central nervous system, in keratinocytes, and in the gut mucosa, and can function as a chemotactic and chemokinetic factor. SCF exists in two biologically active splice forms: a soluble and a transmembrane isoform. Upon binding to its receptor (c-kit tyrosine kinase receptor; CD117), it activates PI3K, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways. SCF and signaling from c-kit has also been reported to play an important role in pigmentation, fertility, vasculogenesis, motility of the gut via c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal, and in the migration of neuronal stem and progenitor cells to sites of injury in the brain (Lennartsson and Ronnstrand).

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Flt3/Flk-2 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3/fetal liver kinase-2) Ligand is a hematopoietic cytokine that plays an important role as a co-stimulatory factor in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and the development of the immune system (Hannum et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand, together with stem cell factor and thrombopoietin, is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive CD34+ hematopoietic cells in culture. In combination with myeloid cytokines such as GM-CSF, G-CSF, or M-CSF, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand enhances the growth and numbers of clonogenic myeloid progenitor cells. In synergy with the interleukins IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, IL-11, IL-12, IL-15, and GM-CSF and TNF-α, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand regulates the development of various lymphoid progenitor cells, including dendritic cell, B cell, T cell, and NK cell progenitors. In contrast, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand has no significant effect on erythropoiesis or megakaryopoiesis (Drexler and Quentmeier; Wodnar-Filipowicz). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand exists as membrane-bound and soluble isoforms. Both isoforms are biologically active and signal through the class III tyrosine kinase receptor (Flt3/Flk-2, CD135; Rosnet et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand is produced by a variety of cell types, including uncommitted and committed hematopoietic cells and stromal fibroblasts, whereas expression of the Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is restricted to CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is also expressed on leukemic cells and outside the hematopoietic system in the brain, placenta, and testis (Drexler and Quentmeier; Hannum et al.). This product is animal component-free.

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Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. In synergy with other cytokines such as stem cell factor, IL-3, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, it also stimulates erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Barreda et al.). GM-CSF is produced by multiple cell types, including stromal cells, Paneth cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and Th1 and Th17 T cells (Francisco-Cruz et al.). The receptor for GM-CSF (GM-CSFR) is composed of two subunits: the cytokine-specific α subunit (GMRα; CD116) and the common subunit βc (CD131) shared with IL-3 and IL-5 receptors (Broughton et al.). GM-CSFR is expressed on hematopoietic cells, including progenitor cells and immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells. Recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) promotes the production of myeloid cells of the granulocytic (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) and monocytic lineages in vivo. It has been tested for mobilisation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and used to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients. GM-CSF is able to stimulate the development of DCs that ingest, process, and present antigens to the immune system (Francisco-Cruz et al.).

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Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine with effects on various tissues including the bone marrow, brain, and intestinal mucosa (Du and amp; Williams). It belongs to the IL-6 family of cytokines that share a common signal transducer, gp130. Culture of mouse bone marrow cells with IL-11 in combination with IL-3, IL-6, and stem cell factor induces significant expansion and proliferation of colony-forming cells in vitro (Peters et al.). In addition, in combination with IL-3, IL-11 significantly enhances the growth of megakaryocytic colonies in vitro, suggesting its role in augmenting mouse megakaryopoiesis (Yonemura et al.). IL-11 is expressed in a wide range of normal adult mouse tissues, including the central nervous system, thymus, lung, and bone. The mouse IL-11 cDNA was cloned using an expression library generated from the lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse fetal thymic cell line, T2 (Morris et al.). The binding of IL-11 to its receptor induces heterodimerization with the gp130 subunit and activation of JAK tyrosine kinases. IL-11 also plays a role in cancer progression by inducing the proliferation of epithelial cancer cells and the survival of metastatic cells at distant organs. Recently, IL-11 has gained interest for its role in the pathogenesis of diseases in dysregulated mucosal homeostasis associated with STAT3 upregulation, including gastrointestinal cancers (Putoczki et al.).

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Flt3/Flk-2 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3/fetal liver kinase-2) Ligand is a hematopoietic cytokine that plays an important role as a co-stimulatory factor in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and in the development of the immune system (Hannum et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand, together with stem cell factor and thrombopoietin, is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive CD34+ hematopoietic cells in culture. In combination with myeloid cytokines such as GM-CSF, G-CSF, or M-CSF, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand enhances the growth and numbers of clonogenic myeloid progenitor cells. In synergy with the interleukins IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, IL-11, IL-12, IL-15, and GM-CSF and TNF-α, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand regulates the development of various lymphoid progenitor cells, including dendritic cell, B cell, T cell, and NK cell progenitors. In contrast, Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand has no significant effect on erythropoiesis or megakaryopoiesis (Drexler andamp; Quentmeier; Wodnar-Filipowicz). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand exists as membrane-bound and soluble isoforms. Both isoforms are biologically active and signal through the class III tyrosine kinase receptor (Flt3/Flk-2, CD135; Rosnet et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand is produced by a variety of cell types, including uncommitted and committed hematopoietic cells and stromal fibroblasts, whereas expression of the Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is restricted to CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is also expressed on leukemic cells and outside the hematopoietic system in the brain, placenta, and testis (Drexler andamp; Quentmeier; Hannum et al.).

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Flt3/Flk-2 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3/fetal liver kinase-2) ligand is a hematopoietic cytokine that plays an important role as a co-stimulatory factor in the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and the development of the immune system (Lyman et al.; Rosnet et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 ligand, together with stem cell factor and thrombopoietin, is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive hematopoietic cells in culture. In combination with myeloid cytokines such as GM-CSF, G-CSF, or M-CSF, Flt3/Flk-2 ligand enhances the growth and numbers of clonogenic myeloid progenitor cells. In synergy with IL-3, IL-4, IL-7, IL-11, IL-12, IL-15, GM-CSF, and TNF-α, Flt3/Flk-2 ligand regulates the development of various lymphoid progenitor cells, including dendritic cell, B cell, T cell, and NK cell progenitors. In contrast, Flt3/Flk-2 ligand has no significant effect on erythropoiesis or megakaryopoiesis (Drexler and Quentmeier; Wodnar-Filipowicz). Flt3/Flk-2 ligand exists as membrane-bound and soluble isoforms. Both isoforms are biologically active and signal through the class III tyrosine kinase receptor (Flt3/Flk-2, CD135; Rosnet et al.). Flt3/Flk-2 ligand is produced by a variety of cell types, including uncommitted and committed hematopoietic cells and stromal fibroblasts, whereas expression of the Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is restricted to CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Flt3/Flk-2 receptor is also expressed outside the hematopoietic system in the brain, placenta, and testis (Drexler and Quentmeier; Hannum et al.).