MCSF

(= CSF-1; macrophage colony-stimulating factor)

A 40-76 kD glycoprotein that plays an important role in the activation and proliferation of microglial cells both in vitro and in injured neural tissue, is important in adipocyte hyperplasia, in osteoclast differentiation and in one of the early events in atherosclerosis, monocyte to macrophage differentiation in the arterial intima. The receptor for MCSF (c-fms) is expressed on the pluripotent precursor and mature osteoclasts and macrophages. Mutation in MCSF leads to osteopetrosis because of osteoclast deficiency.