Final answer:
G-CSF is a colony-stimulating factor that stimulates the bone marrow to produce and release granulocytes, especially neutrophils. It is secreted by various cells and used medicinally to help cancer patients on chemotherapy recover their immune cell counts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a type of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) that specifically targets the bone marrow to stimulate the production and release of granulocytes, primarily neutrophils. These granulocytes are vital white blood cells that play a significant role in the immune response by fighting infections. G-CSF is a glycoprotein secreted by various cells, including macrophages, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, acting in autocrine or paracrine fashion.
Aside from neutrophils, there are also types of CSFs such as monocyte CSF and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), which are responsible for the differentiation and proliferation of other leukocytes, including monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. In medical practice, synthetic forms of CSFs are administered to patients undergoing chemotherapy to help recover their white blood cell counts, thereby enhancing their capacity to combat infections and maintain immunity.
Synthetic forms of CSFs like G-CSF are used to treat patients with certain forms of cancer and are essential in promoting the recovery of the immune system after chemotherapy.