The effect of human recombinant macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) on the murine mononuclear phagocyte system in vivo.

Human recombinant macrophage CSF (CSF-1) was administered i.v. to mice. After four daily injections there was a dose-dependent increase in the responsiveness of bone marrow cells from the treated animals to CSF-1 in vitro. At the highest dose tested (20,000 U/day) there was a selective 10-fold increase in the circulating population of mature monocytes. CSF-1 treatment also increased the macrophage content of the liver and peritoneal cavity and caused splenomegaly. The macrophages isolated from the peritoneum of CSF-1-treated animals were larger and expressed higher levels of the macrophage-specific F4/80 Ag. These data demonstrate that CSF-1 can act as a circulating regulator of the mononuclear phagocyte system.