What is G-CSF?

G-CSF (Granulocyte colony Stimulating Factor) is a glycoprotein that stimulates the bone marrow to produce granulocytes and stem cells and release them into the bloodstream. Beside the effect on the hematopoietic system, G-CSF can also act on neuronal cells as a neurotrophic factor. The action of G-CSF in the central nervous system is to induce neurogenesis, to increase the neuroplasticity and to counteract apoptosis.

G-CSF is also used to increase the number of hematopoietic stem cells before collection, which has been the method used at major medical research centers for HSCs transplantation.