Cell biology and clinical promise of G‐CSF: immunomodulation and neuroprotection

Introduction The immunomodulation of G‐CSF in adaptive immunity The neuroprotection of G‐CSF in cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration G‐CSF‐Bridge between immunomodulation and neuroprotection Weighing G‐CSF in immunomodulation and neuroprotection Conclusion and perspectives Abstract In the light of the enthusiasm to use of recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) for immunomodulation and neuroprotection, it should be remembered that the current knowledge is based on a century of laborious research. G‐CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine playing a major role as regulator of haematopoiesis. Although the precise mechanisms of G‐CSF are not known, there is growing evidence supporting the notion that G‐CSF also exerts profound immunoregulatory effect in adaptive immunity and has a neuroprotective role in both cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. Here, we describe the immunomodulation and the neuroprotection that can be achieved with G‐CSF, and summarize possible mechanisms of G‐CSF as a potential therapeutic agent in autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders. Our understanding of these novel sites of action of G‐CSF has opened therapeutic avenues for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders, and has translated the beneficial effects of G‐CSF from basic experiments to clinical patients.