The distribution of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and its receptor in the developing human fetus

• Published in: Pediatric research Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 358 - 366
• Main Authors: DAME, J. B, CHRISTENSEN, R. D, JUUL, S. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.10.1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Complementary - genetics; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fetus - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - genetics; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - metabolism; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Organogenesis. Physiological fonctions; Physiological fonctions; Pregnancy; Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - genetics; Receptors, Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Tissue Distribution; Human; Immunohistochemistry; Fetal development; Distribution; Fetus; Cell; Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; Organ; Biological receptor
• ISSN: 0031-3998; 1530-0447
• DOI: 10.1203/00006450-199910000-00002

The purpose of the present study was to determine the distribution of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and its receptor (GM-CSF-R) in the human fetus. We used reverse transcription PCR to detect GM-CSF and GM-CSF-R mRNA in human fetal organs at 8 and 16 wk postconception, and cell-specific protein expression was localized in tissues by immunohistochemistry. GM-CSF was also measured by ELISA in paired samples of spinal fluid and plasma. GM-CSF mRNA and/or protein were detected in lung macrophages, spleen, adrenal cortex, placenta, and CNS including neurons and astrocytes. GM-CSF was detected by ELISA in 10 of the 39 cerebrospinal fluid samples tested. GM-CSF-R mRNA expression was present in all organs tested. Immunoreactivity for GM-CSF-R in most organs was limited to macrophages, but, brain, neurons and glial cells showed immunoreactivity. We conclude that GM-CSF is produced in lung, spleen, adrenal, placenta, and neural tissues during human fetal development and that GM-CSF-responsive cells include macrophages, neurons, and glial cells.