Question

Along with the gang of five, activated macrophages also secrete granulocytemacrophage colony forming factor (GM-CSF), which increases the number of monocytes and granulocytes produced in the bone marrow. This may be reflected in which of the following during infection.

a. Increased white blood counts

b. Lowering of body temperature

c. Increased numbers of band cells

d. Both a & c

Answer 1

Answer to the above question would be option A

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is cytokine in nature and act as the colony stimulating factor. Like all other cytokines such as TNF, and Interleukin 1 and 6, GM-CSF take part in primary defense mechanism of body. If any antigen(pathogen) invades the body, all these molecules activated the normal maturation of granulocytes, Macrophages and Monocytes cells involved in host defense to infection, and inflammation.

1. Increased white blood counts: GM-CSF enhance the number of white blood cells, because it secretes glycoprotein which helps in proliferation of Macrophages, Monocytes, neutrophils and granulocytes, generation of all these molecules also triggers the production of white blood cells. This is widely used in the treatment of Candida albicans, Leishmania species, Trypanosoma cruzi and this procedure also helps in treatment of cancer patient with leucopenia and bone marrow failure.