抄録
Monocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (M-CSF) is a growth factor specific to monocyte-macrophage lineage, which functions during the growth and differentiation of these cells. In addition to its action on hematopoietic cells, we found that M-CSF has a plasma cholesterol lowering activity in NZW and WHHL rabbits through enhanced clearance of plasma lipoproteins containing apo B100 in the reticuloendothelial system. On the other hand, M-CSF acts on cultured macrophages and stimulates both the uptake of acetyl-LDL into the cells and the excretion of cholesterol from the cells. We finally found that sustained injection of M-CSF inhibits the progression of atheroma in the aortae of WHHL rabbits. The mechanism of the anti-atherogenic effect of M-CSF was complex because many factors might be involved in vivo. Our results indicate that M-CSF has a profound effect on lipoprotein metabolism and atherogenesis, and might shed a new light on the unresolved question: Are macrophages good guys or bad guys in atherogenesis?
